Business Ethics and Social Responsibility: Chapter Outline

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chapter 2
CHAPTER OUTLINE Business Ethics
Introduction
Business Ethics and
Social Responsibility
and Social
The Role of Ethics in
Business
Responsibility
Recognizing Ethical Issues
in Business
Making Decisions about
Ethical Issues
Improving Ethical Behavior OBJECTIVES
in Business
After reading this chapter, you will be able to:
The Nature of Social
Responsibility • Define business ethics and social responsibility and examine
their importance.
Social Responsibility
Issues • Detect some of the ethical issues that may arise in business.
• Specify how businesses can promote ethical behavior.
• Explain the four dimensions of social responsibility.
• Debate an organization’s social responsibilities to owners,
employees, consumers, the environment, and the community.
• Evaluate the ethics of a business’s decision.
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ENTER THE WORLD OF BUSINESS

Ethisphere Links Ethics to Profits
Ethisphere magazine (www.ethisphere.com) is published by the Ethisphere
Institute to illuminate the correlation between ethics and profits. Their mis-
sion is to “help corporate executives guide their enterprises toward gaining
market share and creating sustainable competitive advantage through better
business practices and corporate citizenship.” Business has found that good
ethics doesn’t happen automatically. Employees need a shared vision that
results in all employees abiding by the company’s code of ethics and policies
on business conduct. The editors and writers for the magazine attempt to
determine absolute behaviors that can be utilized to differentiate one organi-
zation from another. For example, Ethisphere has developed a methodology
to examine companies’ codes of ethics and provide a grade for how the busi-
ness compares with others. Issues relate to how the code itself is written,
what it contains, what it omits, and how it is communicated. All play instru-
mental underlying roles in whether the code has the power to influence not
only perceptions, but actions as well. For example, Centex Corp. received
an A because of a terrific layout and thoughtful learning guide that speaks
directly to employee conduct. An employee reporting mechanism called the
“Speak Up” line was made very visible so that employees could easily dis-
cuss issues of concern. Other companies highly ranked in the study included
Alcoa, Eaton Corporation, Kiplingers, GE, Kellogg’s, and John Deere.
A recent ranking of government contractors found that Verizon Wire-
less had the best code of business ethics and the best overall ethics pro-
gram. Other companies that were found to have high-ranking codes of
ethics included General Electric, Procter & Gamble, Lockheed Martin, and
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38 PART 1 BusinessCompanies
Honeywell. in a Changing use
Worldbenchmarking, that is, comparing themselves
with others in their industry, to gain insights about how to improve their code
of ethics programs. Providing the criteria for evaluating codes of ethics also
assists companies in developing and revising their codes. Organizations are
expected to establish ethical standards and provide compliance systems
to maintain appropriate conduct within all levels of the organization. Many
companies are starting to recognize that providing jobs and profits are not
sufficient criteria to be a responsible member of society. It is important to be
socially responsible—that is, to work with stakeholders such as employees,
customers, communities, and governments to make sure that the company
does its part to minimize negative impacts on society and maximize contribu-
tions to important issues that are being addressed worldwide. Global warm-
ing, recycling, and sustainability are social responsibility issues; employee
misconduct in performing business activities is a significant concern of busi-
ness ethics. Both business ethics and social responsibility are essential parts
of being a good corporate citizen.1
Introduction
As the opening vignette illustrates, the Ethisphere Institute has taken on the chal-
lenge of contributing to society by linking ethics and profits. At the other extreme,
wrongdoing by some businesses has focused public attention and government
involvement on encouraging more acceptable business conduct. Any business deci-
sion may be judged as right or wrong, ethical or unethical, legal or illegal.
In this chapter, we take a look at the role of ethics and social responsibility in busi-
ness decision making. First we define business ethics and examine why it is important
to understand ethics’ role in business. Next we explore a number of business ethics
issues to help you learn to recognize such issues when they arise. Finally, we consider
steps businesses can take to improve ethical behavior in their organizations. The sec-
ond half of the chapter focuses on social responsibility. We survey some important
responsibility issues and detail how companies have responded to them.
Business Ethics and Social Responsibility

business ethics In this chapter, we define business ethics as the principles and standards that
principles and stan- determine acceptable conduct in business organizations. The acceptability of behav-
dards that determine ior in business is determined by customers, competitors, government regulators,
acceptable conduct in interest groups, and the public, as well as each individual’s personal moral prin-
business ciples and values. Enron, one of the largest ethical disasters in the 21st century, is
an example. Two former Enron CEOs, Ken Lay and Jeff Skilling, were found guilty
on all counts of conspiring to hide the company’s financial condition. The judge in
the case said the defendants could be found guilty of consciously avoiding knowing
about wrongdoing at the company. Many other top executives including Andy Fas-
tow, the chief financial officer, were found guilty of misconduct and are serving time
in prison. The fall of Enron took many layers of management pushing the envelope
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CHAPTER 2 Business Ethics and Social Responsibility 39
TABLE 2.1 A Timeline of Ethical and Socially Responsible Concerns

1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s
• Environmental • Employee militancy • Bribes and illegal • Sweatshops and • Employee
issues • Human rights issues contracting unsafe working benefits
• Civil rights issues practices conditions in third- • Privacy issues
• Covering up rather world countries
• Increased than correcting • Influence peddling • Financial
employee- issues • Deceptive • Rising corporate mismanagement
employer tension advertising liability for personal
• Discrimination damages (e.g., • Intellectual property
• Honesty • Harassment • Financial fraud (e.g., cigarette companies) theft
• Changing work savings and loan • Responsible
scandal) • Financial
ethic mismanagement consumption
• Rising drug use • Transparency issues and fraud • The role of business
in promoting
sustainable
development
Source: Adapted from “Business Ethics Timeline,” Copyright © 2003, Ethics Resource Center (n.d.), www.ethics.org, updated 2008. Used with permission.
and a great deal of complacency on the part of employees who saw wrongdoing and
ignored it. Enron is not alone. Most unethical activities within organizations are sup-
ported by an organizational culture that encourages employees to bend the rules.2
Many consumers and social advocates believe that businesses should not only
make a profit but also consider the social implications of their activities. We define social responsibility
social responsibility as a business’s obligation to maximize its positive impact a business’s obligation
and minimize its negative impact on society. Although many people use the terms to maximize its positive
social responsibility and ethics interchangeably, they do not mean the same thing. impact and minimize
Business ethics relates to an individual’s or a work group’s decisions that society its negative impact on
society
evaluates as right or wrong, whereas social responsibility is a broader concept that
concerns the impact of the entire business’s activities on society. From an ethical
perspective, for example, we may be concerned about a health care organization
overcharging the government for Medicare services. From a social responsibility
perspective, we might be concerned about the impact that this overcharging will
have on the ability of the health care system to provide adequate services for all
citizens. A more specific issue is the concern that mobile phone companies are act-
ing irresponsibly by targeting children as young as 6 with brightly colored kiddie
phones. Some worry that such phones addict the very young, and proper research
has not yet been conducted on the health risks to young brains and tissue.3
The most basic ethical and social responsibility concerns have been codified by
laws and regulations that encourage businesses to conform to society’s standards,
values, and attitudes. For example, after accounting scandals at a number of well-
known firms in the early 2000s shook public confidence in the integrity of Cor-
porate America, the reputations of every U.S. company suffered regardless of their
association with the scandals.4 To help restore confidence in corporations and mar-
kets, Congress passed the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which criminalized securities fraud
and stiffened penalties for corporate fraud. At a minimum, managers are expected
to obey all laws and regulations. Most legal issues arise as choices that society deems
unethical, irresponsible, or otherwise unacceptable. However, all actions deemed
unethical by society are not necessarily illegal, and both legal and ethical concerns
change over time (see Table 2.1). Business law refers to the laws and regulations that
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40 PART 1 Business in a Changing World
govern the conduct of business. Many problems and conflicts in business can be
avoided if owners, managers, and employees know more about business law and the
legal system. Business ethics, social responsibility, and laws together act as a compli-
ance system, requiring that businesses and employees act responsibly in society. In
this chapter, we explore ethics and social responsibility; Appendix A addresses busi-
ness law, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
The Role of Ethics in Business

You have only to pick up The Wall Street Journal or USA Today to see examples of
the growing concern about legal and ethical issues in business. HealthSouth, for
example, has joined the growing list of companies tarnished by accounting impro-
prieties and securities fraud. Former CEO Richard Scrushy was indicted for alleg-
edly conspiring to inflate the health care firm’s reported revenues by $2.7 billion
to meet shareholder expectations. Although Scrushy pleaded “not guilty” to the 85
criminal charges, 15 former HealthSouth executives have admitted to participat-
ing in the deception. Scrushy was ultimately acquitted by a jury trial in the first
attempt to hold a chief executive accountable under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The
defense called the star witness, former HealthSouth finance chief William T. Owens,
a big rat.5 Scrushy was found guilty on six counts of bribery and mail fraud by an
Alabama court for paying an Alabama governor to be on the state hospital regu-
latory board. He plans to appeal the conviction. Regardless of what an individual
believes about a particular action, if society judges it to be unethical or wrong,
whether correctly or not, that judgment directly affects the organization’s ability to
achieve its business goals.6
Well-publicized incidents of unethical and illegal activity—ranging from account-
ing fraud to using the Internet to steal another person’s credit-card number, from
deceptive advertising of food and diet products to unfair competitive practices in the
computer software industry—strengthen the public’s perceptions that ethical stan-
dards and the level of trust in business need to be raised. Author David Callahan has
commented, “Americans who wouldn’t so much as shoplift a pack of chewing gum
are committing felonies at tax time, betraying the trust of their patients, misleading
investors, ripping off their insurance companies, lying to their clients, and much
more.”7 Often, such charges start as ethical conflicts but evolve into legal disputes
when cooperative conflict resolution cannot be accomplished. Headline-grabbing
scandals like Enron are not limited to the United States. For example, in Germany
the president of Deutsche Post AG, parent of DHL, had to resign after being accused
of tax evasion.8 In the United States, Charles O. Prince III, former CEO of Citigroup;
Stanley O’Neal, former CEO of Merrill Lynch; and Angela Mozilo, founder and CEO
of Countrywide Financial, rejected suggestions that they reaped lavish compensa-
tion packages while engaging in highly risky subprime lending associated with an
international financial crisis. While O’Neal was fired for Merrill Lynch’s poor perfor-
mance, he was given a $161 million severance package on top of the $70 million he
earned during four years as CEO.9
However, it is important to understand that business ethics goes beyond legal
issues. Ethical conduct builds trust among individuals and in business relationships,
which validates and promotes confidence in business relationships. Establishing
trust and confidence is much more difficult in organizations that have reputations
for acting unethically. If you were to discover, for example, that a manager had mis-
led you about company benefits when you were hired, your trust and confidence
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in that company would probably diminish. And if you learned that a colleague had
lied to you about something, you probably would not trust or rely on that person
in the future.
Ethical issues are not limited to for-profit organizations either. In government,
several politicians and some high-ranking officials have been forced to resign in
disgrace over ethical indiscretions. Irv Lewis “Scooter” Libby, a White House advi-
sor, was indicted on five counts of criminal charges: one count of obstruction of
justice, two counts of perjury, and two counts of making false statements. Libby
was convicted on four of those counts in 2007. Although President Bush com-
muted the sentence, Libby was still ordered to pay a $250,000 fine.10 While serving
as attorney general of New York, Eliot Spitzer had a reputation for fighting crime.
He too has stumbled into an ethical mess of his own making. The New York gov-
ernor appeared in a federal complaint charging others with managing an interna-
tional prostitution ring. Spitzer was named as a client of the crime ring, having
hired a prostitute in Washington, D.C., for $4,300.11 During his race for governor
of New York, Spitzer spoke of his duties as attorney general, saying: “I had a simple
rule. I never asked if a case was popular or unpopular. I never asked if it was big
or small, hard or easy. I simply asked if it was right or wrong.” Spitzer resigned as
governor of New York, his career destroyed by his misconduct. Even sports can be
subject to ethical lapses. At many universities, for example, coaches and athletic
administrators have been put on administrative leave after allegations of improper
recruiting practices came to light.12 Jimmy Johnson’s crew chief, Chad Knaus, was
thrown out of the Daytona 500 for illegal modifications made to Johnson’s car dur-
ing NASCAR pole qualifying. Although Johnson finished fifth in qualifying, he was
required to start from the rear of the field. He then went on to win the Daytona
500.13 Thus, whether made in science, politics, sports, or business, most decisions
are judged as right or wrong, ethical or unethical. Negative judgments can affect an
organization’s ability to build relationships with customers and suppliers, attract
investors, and retain employees.14
Although we will not tell you in this chapter what you ought to do, others—your
superiors, co-workers, and family—will make judgments about the ethics of your
actions and decisions. Learning how to recognize and resolve ethical issues is an
important step in evaluating ethical decisions in business.
Recognizing Ethical Issues in Business

Learning to recognize ethical issues is the most important step in understanding
business ethics. An ethical issue is an identifiable problem, situation, or oppor- ethical issue
tunity that requires a person to choose from among several actions that may be an identifiable problem,
evaluated as right or wrong, ethical or unethical. In business, such a choice often situation, or opportunity
involves weighing monetary profit against what a person considers appropriate con- that requires a person
duct. The best way to judge the ethics of a decision is to look at a situation from to choose from among
several actions that
a customer’s or competitor’s viewpoint: Should liquid-diet manufacturers make
may be evaluated as
unsubstantiated claims about their products? Should an engineer agree to divulge right or wrong, ethical
her former employer’s trade secrets to ensure that she gets a better job with a com- or unethical
petitor? Should a salesperson omit facts about a product’s poor safety record in his
presentation to a customer? Such questions require the decision maker to evaluate
the ethics of his or her choice.
Many business issues may seem straightforward and easy to resolve or the sur-
face, but are in reality very complex. A person often needs several years of experi-
ence in business to understand what is acceptable or ethical. For example, if you
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TABLE 2.2 Types and Incidences of Observed Misconduct

Type of Conduct Observed Employees Observing It
Putting own interests ahead of organization 22%
Abusive behavior 21
Lying to employees 20
Misreporting hours worked 17
Internet abuse 16
Safety violations 15
Lying to stakeholders 14
Discrimination 13
Stealing 11
Source: “National Business Ethics Survey 2007: An Inside View of Private Sector Ethics,” Ethics Resource Center, http://www.ethics.org/ (accessed April 4, 2008).
are a salesperson, when does offering a gift—such as season basketball tickets—to a

customer become a bribe rather than just a sales practice? Clearly, there are no easy
answers to such a question. But the size of the transaction, the history of personal
relationships within the particular company, as well as many other factors may
determine whether an action will be judged as right or wrong by others. Companies
across the United States are starting to prevent access to Internet-video services at
work. At issue is the theft of time by employees, who use YouTube and MySpace for
an hour on average each workday.15 Another issue is the use of company resources
to provide personal internet access.
Ethics is also related to the culture in which a business operates. In the United
States, for example, it would be inappropriate for a businessperson to bring an elab-
orately wrapped gift to a prospective client on their first meeting—the gift could
be viewed as a bribe. In Japan, however, it is considered impolite not to bring a gift.
Experience with the culture in which a business operates is critical to understanding
what is ethical or unethical.
To help you understand ethical issues that perplex businesspeople today, we will
take a brief look at some of them in this section. Ethical issues can be more com-
plex now than in the past. The vast number of news-format investigative programs
has increased consumer and employee awareness of organizational misconduct.
In addition, the multitude of cable channels and Internet resources has improved
the awareness of ethical problems among the general public. The National Busi-
ness Ethics Survey of more than 3,400 U.S. employees found that workers wit-
ness many instances of ethical misconduct in their organizations (see Table 2.2).
The most common types of observed misconduct in the private sector were put-
ting one’s own interests ahead of the organization, abusive behavior, and lying to
employees.16
One of the principal causes of unethical behavior in organizations is overly
aggressive financial or business objectives. Many of these issues relate to decisions
and concerns that managers have to deal with daily. It is not possible to discuss
every issue, of course. However, a discussion of a few issues can help you begin to
recognize the ethical problems with which businesspersons must deal. Many ethical
issues in business can be categorized in the context of their relation with abusive
and intimidating behavior, conflicts of interest, fairness and honesty, communica-
tions, and business associations.
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Abusive and Intimidating Behavior. Abusive or intimidating behavior is the

second most common ethical problem for employees. These concepts can mean
anything from physical threats, false accusations, being annoying, profanity, insults,
yelling, harshness, ignoring someone, to unreasonableness; and the meaning of
these words can differ by person—you probably have some ideas of your own. Abu-
sive behavior can be placed on a continuum from a minor distraction to a disrup-
tion of the workplace. For example, what one person may define as yelling might be
another’s definition of normal speech. Civility in our society is a concern, and the
workplace is no exception. The productivity level of many organizations has been
diminished by the time spent unraveling abusive relationships.
Abusive behavior is difficult to assess and manage because of diversity in culture
and lifestyle. What does it mean to speak profanely? Is profanity only related to
specific words or other such terms that are common in today’s business world? If
you are using words that are normal in your language but others consider profanity,
have you just insulted, abused, or disrespected them?
Within the concept of abusive behavior, intent should be a consideration. If the
employee was trying to convey a compliment but the comment was considered abu-
sive, then it was probably a mistake. The way a word is said (voice inflection) can be
important. Add to this the fact that we now live in a multicultural environment—
doing business and working with many different cultural groups—and the business-
person soon realizes the depth of the ethical and legal issues that may arise. There are
problems of word meanings by age and within cultures. For example an expression
such as “Did you guys hook up last night?” can have various meanings, including
some that could be considered offensive in a work environment.
Bullying is associated with a hostile workplace when a person or group is targeted
and is threatened, harassed, belittled, verbally abused, or overly criticized. Bullying
may create what some consider a hostile environment, a term generally associated
with sexual harassment. Although sexual harassment has legal recourse, bullying
has little legal recourse at this time. Bullying is a widespread problem in the United
States, and can cause psychological damage that can result in health endangering
consequences to the target. The Workplace Bullying Institute’s latest survey found
that “37% of U.S. workers have been bullied, that is 54 million Americans.”17 Another
12 percent of workers have witnessed bullying. As Table 2.3 indicates, bullying can
use a mix of verbal, nonverbal, and manipulative threatening expressions to dam-
age workplace productivity. One may wonder why workers tolerate such activities, t
1. Spreading rumors to damage others TABLE 2.3

2. Blocking others communication in the workplace Actions Associated with
3. Flaunting status or authority to take advantage of others Bullies
4. Discrediting others ideas and opinions

5. Use of e-mails to demean others
6. Failing to communicate or return communication
7. Insults, yelling, and shouting
8. Using terminology to discriminate by gender, race, or age
9. Using eye or body language to hurt others or their reputation
10. Taking credit for others work or ideas
Source: © O. C. Ferrell, 2008.
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he problem is that 81 percent of workplace bullies are supervisors. A top officer

at Boeing cited an employee survey indicating 26 percent had observed abusive or
intimidating behavior by management.18
Conflict of Interest. A conflict of interest, the most common ethical issue iden-
tified by employees, exists when a person must choose whether to advance his or her
own personal interests or those of others. For example, a manager in a corporation
is supposed to ensure that the company is profitable so that its stockholder-owners
receive a return on their investment. In other words, the manager has a responsibility
to investors. If she instead makes decisions that give her more power or money but
do not help the company, then she has a conflict of interest—she is acting to benefit
herself at the expense of her company and is not fulfilling her responsibilities as an
employee. To avoid conflicts of interest, employees must be able to separate their
personal financial interests from their business dealings. For example, a $1 million
donation by Citigroup to the 92nd Street, Y nursery school represents a possible
conflict of interest. Jack Grubman, an analyst for Salomon Smith Barney, upgraded
his rating for AT&T stock after Sanford Weill, the CEO of Citigroup (the parent
company of Salomon Smith Barney), agreed to use his influence to help Grubman’s
twins gain admission to the elite Manhattan nursery school. During the late 1990s,
Weill, an AT&T board member, had been upset that Citigroup wasn’t getting any of
AT&T’s business. Grubman changed AT&T’s rating to buy, and a year later bragged
in an e-mail that he had made the switch to placate Weill in exchange for Weill’s help
in getting Grubman’s children into the 92nd Street Y nursery school. Grubman has
denied elevating his rating for AT&T’s stock to gain his children admission to the
school, but they were enrolled. Industry leaders still avoid him, publicly anyway, but
on the fringes of telecom, Grubman has had no trouble finding people who are will-
ing to overlook his past or are simply unaware of it. According to a Fortune article,
although Grubman was “banned from Wall Street, the former Telecom King wants
to prove that he wasn’t a huckster”.19
bribes As mentioned earlier, it is considered improper to give or accept bribes—
payments, gifts, or payments, gifts, or special favors intended to influence the outcome of a decision.
special favors intended A bribe is a conflict of interest because it benefits an individual at the expense of
to influence the outcome an organization or society. Companies that do business overseas should be aware
of a decision that bribes are a significant ethical issue and are, in fact, illegal in many coun-
tries. For example, three former executives of IBM Korea went to jail in Seoul after
being convicted of using bribes to win orders for computer parts.20 While bribery
is an increasing issue in many countries, it is more prevalent in some countries
than in others. Transparency International has developed a Corruption Percep-
tions Index ( Table 2.4). Note there are 19 countries perceived as less corrupt than
the United States.21
Fairness and Honesty. Fairness and honesty are at the heart of business ethics
and relate to the general values of decision makers. At a minimum, business per-
sons are expected to follow all applicable laws and regulations. But beyond obeying
the law, they are expected not to harm customers, employees, clients, or competi-
tors knowingly through deception, misrepresentation, coercion, or discrimination.
Honesty and fairness can relate to how the employees uses the resources of the orga-
nization. More than two-thirds of employees have taken office supplies from work
to use for matters unrelated to their job. Most employees do not view taking office
supplies as stealing or dishonest, with 97 percent saying they have never gotten
caught and it would not matter if they were. In addition, only 3.7 percent say they
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Rank Country CPI Score* TABLE 2.4

1 Finland/Denmark/New Zealand 9.4 Corruption Perceptions
Index
4 Singapore/Sweden 9.3
6 Iceland 9.2
7 Netherlands/Switzerland 9.0
9 Canada/Norway 8.7
11 Australia 8.6
12 Luxembourg/United Kingdom 8.4
14 Hong Kong 8.3
15 Austria 8.1
16 Germany 7.8
17 Ireland/Japan 7.5
19 France 7.3
20 United States 7.2
*
CPI score relates to perceptions of the degree of corruption as seen by businesspeople and country analysts,
and ranges between 10 (highly clean) and 0 (highly corrupt).
Source: “Transparency International 2007 Corruption Perception Index,” Transparency International, http://www.
transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2007 (accessed April 4, 2008).
have taken items like keyboards, software, and memory sticks. Still, an employee
should be aware of policies on taking items and recognize how these decisions relate
to ethical behavior.22 Figure 2.1 on page 000 provides an overview of the most pil-
fered office supplies.
One aspect of fairness relates to competition. Although numerous laws have been
passed to foster competition and make monopolistic practices illegal, companies
sometimes gain control over markets by using questionable practices that harm
competition. Bullying can also occur between companies that are intense competi-
tors. Even respected companies such as Intel have been accused of monopolistic
bullying. A competitor, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), claimed in a lawsuit that
38 companies, including Dell and Sony, were strong-arming customers (such as
Apple) into buying Intel chips rather than those marketed by AMD. The AMD law-
suit seeks billions of dollars and will take years to litigate. In many cases, the alleged
misconduct can have not only monetary and legal implications but can threaten
reputation, investor confidence, and customer loyalty. A front-cover Forbes head-
line stated “Intel to ADM: Drop Dead.” The intensely competitive atmosphere and
Intel’s ability to use its large size won it the high-profile Apple account, displacing
IBM and Freescale. ADM claims it had no opportunity to bid because Intel had
offered to deploy 600 Indian engineers to help Apple software run more smoothly
on Intel chips.23
Another aspect of fairness and honesty relates to disclosure of potential harm
caused by product use. Mitsubishi Motors, Japan’s number-four automaker, faced
criminal charges and negative publicity after executives admitted that the company
had systematically covered up customer complaints about tens of thousands of
defective automobiles over a 20-year period. They allegedly made the cover-up in
order to avoid expensive and embarrassing product recalls.24
Dishonesty has become a significant problem in the United States. As reported
earlier in this chapter, lying was the second most observed form of misconduct
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FIGURE 2.1
Plants and paintings 2
Most Popular Office
Office furniture 2
Supplies Employees
Phones 2
Pilfer
Computers 3
Source: “More Employees Mouse pads 4
Taking Supplies,” The
(Wilmington, Delaware) News Letterhead and envelopes 10
Journal using data from Printer paper 23
Lawyers.com, April 1, 2007,
http://www.usatoday.com/
Notepads 33
money/industries/retail/2007- Post-its 44
03-30-supply_N.htm (accessed Pens/pencils 77
April 7, 2008).
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
in the National Business Ethics Survey. Dishonesty is not found only in business,
however.
A survey of nearly 25,000 high school students revealed that 62 percent of the
students admitted to cheating on an exam at least once, 35 percent confessed to
copying documents from the Internet, 27 percent admitted to shoplifting, and 23
percent owned up to cheating in order to win in sports.25 If today’s students are
tomorrow’s leaders, there is likely to be a correlation between acceptable behavior
today and tomorrow. This adds to the argument that the leaders of today must be
prepared for the ethical risks associated with this downward trend. According to a
poll by Deloitte and Touche of teenagers aged 13 to 18, when asked if people who
practice good business ethics are more successful than those who don’t, 69 percent
of teenagers agreed.26 The same poll found only 12 percent of teens think business
leaders today are ethical. On the other hand, another survey indicated that many
students do not define copying answers from another students’ paper or download-
ing music or content for classroom work as cheating.27
Communications. Communications is another area in which ethical concerns
may arise. False and misleading advertising, as well as deceptive personal-selling tac-
tics, anger consumers and can lead to the failure of a business. Truthfulness about
product safety and quality are also important to consumers. Claims about dietary
supplements and weight-loss products can be particularly problematic. For exam-
ple, the Fountain of Youth Group LLC and its founder, Edita Kaye, settled charges
brought by the Federal Trade Commission that the company made unsubstantiated
claims about its weight-loss products. Under the settlement, the firm agreed to stop
making specific weight-loss and health claims without competent scientific proof.
It was also fined $6 million, but that fine was suspended because the firm lacked the
resources to pay it.28
Some companies fail to provide enough information for consumers about dif-
ferences or similarities between products. For example, driven by high prices for
medicines, many consumers are turning to Canadian, Mexican, and overseas Inter-
net sources for drugs to treat a variety of illnesses and conditions. However, research
suggests that a significant percentage of these imported pharmaceuticals may not
actually contain the labeled drug, and the counterfeit drugs could even be harmful
to those who take them.30
Another important aspect of communications that may raise ethical concerns
relates to product labeling. The U.S. Surgeon General currently requires cigarette
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Consider Ethics and Social Responsibility
Repainting Mattel’s Image
What comes to mind when you think “Mattel”? Do you ultimate responsibility to ensure the production of safe toys.
remember the Mattel toys that you loved as a kid; that you’ve The U.S. Consumer Report Product Safety Commission is now
purchased for your children, nieces, or nephews? Or do you working with China to eliminate the use of lead paint in pro-
think of recalls and danger? During 2007 alone, Mattel was duction, but what is Mattel doing? According the company,
required to recall millions of toys, creating negative press production processes and testing procedures have been
and horrified parents. As Christmas 2007 loomed, Mattel was strengthened. It claims to have implemented a “3-stage safety
struggling to revive its image, as the company seemed in dan- check” designed to make sure that all paint is tested prior
ger of consumer abandonment. Parents interviewed through- to use, testing and unannounced inspections are also being
out the United States were vowing to steer clear of toys increased, and every production run will be tested before toys
sold by Mattel. So what caused the recalls and the uproar? are released. The company, which has also been saddled with
Although responsibility ultimately rests with Mattel, the issue issues resulting from recalls of toys containing small magnets
brought to light was Mattel’s relationship with and reliance that were found to be choking hazards, continues to scramble
on Chinese toy manufacturers—companies that proved not to to put a fresh veneer on its tainted image. However, some
adhere to U.S. safety standards. analysts suggest that the best move would be to break off
A recent estimate indicates that China produces 70 to 80 relations with China all together. Others suggest that Mattel
percent of all toys sold in the United States. It is a challenge ought to become more actively involved in helping China work
for any shopper to avoid purchasing toys made in China. So toward stricter rules and the use of safer products. Therefore,
what about China’s manufacturing process caused Mattel to as Mattel works to correct its mistakes and China starts to
recall so many children’s products? The answer might shock strengthen its regulations, consumers will be watching and
us in the United States—lead paint! You might ask hasn’t this thinking twice before purchasing toys labeled “Mattel” and
been outlawed? Yes, paint containing more than 0.06 percent “Made in China.”29
lead has been banned for residential use since 1978. So, how
could this toxic substance possibly end up on children’s toys? Discussion Questions
It turns out that the rules set for residential paint do not trans- 1. Lead paint in toys may not technically be illegal, so what
late to paint used on toys. It is no secret that companies such did Mattel do wrong in this situation? Could the company
as Mattel produce their toys in China in order to cut costs, have prevented this crisis? How?
even though China has different health and safety standards 2. Now that the damage has been done, what can Mattel do
than the United States. Does this create a problem? It cer- to restore its image?
tainly looks like it does. 3. Lead paint on toys is not the only health hazard scare com-
As Mattel struggles to convince consumers that these ing out of China (there have also been problems with tainted
mistakes will never be repeated, many are wondering how medicines, fish with high levels of mercury, and other prod-
well the company will survive this scandal. As much as the ucts containing high levels of lead). Should U.S. companies
company might like to place the blame on China, it is Mattel’s stop sourcing goods from China? Why or why not?
manufacturers to indicate clearly on cigarette packaging that smoking cigarettes is

harmful to the smoker’s health. In Europe, at least 30 percent of the front side of
product packaging and 40 percent of the back needs to be taken up by the warning.
The use of descriptors such as “light” or “mild” has been banned.31 However, label-
ing of other products raises ethical questions when it threatens basic rights, such as
freedom of speech and expression. This is the heart of the controversy surrounding
the movement to require warning labels on movies and videogames, rating their
content, language, and appropriate audience age. Although people in the entertain-
ment industry claim that such labeling violates their First Amendment right to free-
dom of expression, other consumers—particularly parents—believe that labeling
is needed to protect children from harmful influences. Similarly, alcoholic bever-
age and cigarette manufacturers have argued that a total ban on cigarette and alco-
hol advertisements violates the First Amendment. Internet regulation, particularly
that designed to protect children and the elderly, is on the forefront in consumer
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protection legislation. Because of the debate surrounding the acceptability of these

business activities, they remain major ethical issues.
Business Relationships. The behavior of businesspersons toward customers,
suppliers, and others in their workplace may also generate ethical concerns. Ethi-
cal behavior within a business involves keeping company secrets, meeting obliga-
tions and responsibilities, and avoiding undue pressure that may force others to act
unethically.
Managers, in particular, because of the authority of their position, have the
opportunity to influence employees’ actions. For example, a manager might influ-
ence employees to use pirated computer software to save costs. The use of illegal
software puts the employee and the company at legal risk, but employees may feel
pressured to do so by their superior’s authority. The National Business Ethics Sur-
vey found that employees who feel pressure to compromise ethical standards view
top and middle managers as the greatest source of such pressure.32
It is the responsibility of managers to create a work environment that helps the
organization achieve its objectives and fulfill its responsibilities. However, the meth-
ods that managers use to enforce these responsibilities should not compromise
employee rights. Organizational pressures may encourage a person to engage in
activities that he or she might otherwise view as unethical, such as invading others’
privacy or stealing a competitor’s secrets. For example, Betty Vinson, an accounting
executive at WorldCom, protested when her superiors asked her to make improper
accounting entries in order to cover up the company’s deteriorating financial con-
dition. She acquiesced only after being told that it was the only way to save the
troubled company. She, along with several other WorldCom accountants, pleaded
guilty to conspiracy and fraud charges related to WorldCom’s bankruptcy after the
accounting improprieties came to light.33 The firm may provide only vague or lax
supervision on ethical issues, creating the opportunity for misconduct. Managers
who offer no ethical direction to employees create many opportunities for manipu-
lation, dishonesty, and conflicts of interest.
plagiarism Plagiarism—taking someone else’s work and presenting it as your own without
the act of taking some- mentioning the source—is another ethical issue. As a student, you may be familiar
one else’s work and with plagiarism in school; for example, copying someone else’s term paper or quot-
presenting it as your ing from a published work or Internet source without acknowledging it. In busi-
own without mentioning ness, an ethical issue arises when an employee copies reports or takes the work or
the source
ideas of others and presents it as his or her own. At USA Today, for example, an
internal investigation into the work of veteran reporter Jack Kelley identified dozens
of stories in which Kelley appeared to have plagiarized material from competing
newspapers. The investigation also uncovered evidence Kelley fabricated significant
portions of at least eight major stories and conspired to cover up his lapses in judg-
ment. The newspaper later apologized to its readers, and Kelley resigned.34 A man-
ager attempting to take credit for a subordinate’s ideas is engaging in another type
of plagiarism.
Making Decisions about Ethical Issues

Although we’ve presented a variety of ethical issues that may arise in business, it can
be difficult to recognize specific ethical issues in practice. Whether a decision maker
recognizes an issue as an ethical one often depends on the issue itself. Managers, for
example, tend to be more concerned about issues that affect those close to them, as
well as issues that have immediate rather than long-term consequences. Thus, the
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Are there any potential legal restrictions or violations that could result from the action? TABLE 2.5
Does your company have a specific code of ethics or policy on the action? Questions to Consider in
Determining Whether an
Is this activity customary in your industry? Are there any industry trade groups that provide
guidelines or codes of conduct that address this issue? Action Is Ethical
Would this activity be accepted by your co-workers? Will your decision or action withstand
open discussion with co-workers and managers and survive untarnished?
How does this activity fit with your own beliefs and values?
perceived importance of an ethical issue substantially affects choices. However, only

a few issues receive scrutiny, and most receive no attention at all.35
Table 2.5 lists some questions you may want to ask yourself and others when
trying to determine whether an action is ethical. Open discussion of ethical issues
does not eliminate ethical problems, but it does promote both trust and learning in
an organization.36 When people feel that they cannot discuss what they are doing
with their co-workers or superiors, there is a good chance that an ethical issue exists.
Once a person has recognized an ethical issue and can openly discuss it with others,
he or she has begun the process of resolving that issue.
Improving Ethical Behavior in Business

Understanding how people make ethical choices and what prompts a person to act
unethically may reverse the current trend toward unethical behavior in business.
Ethical decisions in an organization are influenced by three key factors: individual
moral standards, the influence of managers and co-workers, and the opportunity
to engage in misconduct (Figure 2.2). While you have great control over your per-
sonal ethics outside the workplace, your co-workers and superiors exert significant
control over your choices at work through authority and example. In fact, the activi-
ties and examples set by co-workers, along with rules and policies established by
the firm, are critical in gaining consistent ethical compliance in an organization. If
the company fails to provide good examples and direction for appropriate conduct,
confusion and conflict will develop and result in the opportunity for misconduct.
If your boss or co-workers leave work early, you may be tempted to do so as well. If
you see co-workers engaged in personal activities such as shopping online or watch-
ing YouTube, then you may be more likely to do so also. In addition, having sound
personal values contributes to an ethical workplace.
Because ethical issues often emerge from conflict, it is useful to examine the
causes of ethical conflict. Business managers and employees often experience some
tension between their own ethical beliefs and their obligations to the organizations
in which they work. Many employees utilize different ethical standards at work than
FIGURE 2.2
Individual Managers' Opportunity: Ethical/Unethical Three Factors That
Standards and Codes and Choices Influence Business
+ + =
and Co-workers' Compliance in Business Ethics
Values Influence Requirements
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TABLE 2.6 • Create a team to assist with the process of developing the code (include management
Key Things to Consider and nonmanagement employees from across departments and functions).
in Developing a Code of • Solicit input from employees from different departments, functions, and regions to
Ethics compile a list of common questions and answers to include in the code document.
• Make certain that the headings of the code sections can be easily understood by all
employees.
• Avoid referencing specific U.S. laws and regulations or those of specific countries,
particularly for codes that will be distributed to employees in multiple regions.
• Hold employee group meetings on a complete draft version (including graphics and
pictures) of the text using language that everyone can understand.
• Inform employees that they will receive a copy of the code during an introduction session.
• Let all employees know that they will receive future ethics training which will, in part,
cover the important information contained in the code document.
Source: Adapted from William Miller, “Implementing an Organizational Code of Ethics,” International Business Ethics
Review 7 (Winter 2004), pp. 1, 6–10.
they do at home. This conflict increases when employees feel that their company is
encouraging unethical conduct or exerting pressure on them to engage in it.
It is difficult for employees to determine what conduct is acceptable within a
company if the firm does not have established ethics policies and standards. And
without such policies and standards, employees may base decisions on how their
codes of ethics peers and superiors behave. Professional codes of ethics are formalized rules and
formalized rules and standards that describe what the company expects of its employees. Codes of ethics
standards that describe do not have to be so detailed that they take into account every situation, but they
what a company expects should provide guidelines and principles that can help employees achieve organi-
of its employees zational objectives and address risks in an acceptable and ethical way. The develop-
ment of a code of ethics should include not only a firm’s executives and board of
directors, but also legal staff and employees from all areas of a firm.37 Table 2.6 lists
some key things to consider when developing a code of ethics.
Codes of ethics, policies on ethics, and ethics training programs advance ethi-
cal behavior because they prescribe which activities are acceptable and which are
not, and they limit the opportunity for misconduct by providing punishments for
violations of the rules and standards. According to the National Business Ethics Sur-
vey (NBES), employees in organizations that have written standards of conduct,
ethics training, ethics offices or hotlines, and systems for anonymous reporting of
misconduct are more likely to report misconduct when they observe it. The sur-
vey also found that such programs are associated with higher employee perceptions
that they will be held accountable for ethical infractions.38 The enforcement of such
codes and policies through rewards and punishments increases the acceptance of
ethical standards by employees.
One of the most important components of an ethics program is a means through
which employees can report observed misconduct anonymously. The NBES found
whistleblowing
the act of an employee
that although employees are increasingly reporting illegal and unethical activities
exposing an employer’s they observe in the workplace, 54 percent of surveyed employees indicated they are
wrongdoing to outsid- unwilling to report misconduct because they fear that no corrective action will be
ers, such as the media taken, or that their report will not remain confidential.39 The lack of anonymous
or government regula- reporting mechanisms may encourage whistleblowing, which occurs when an
tory agencies employee exposes an employer’s wrongdoing to outsiders, such as the media or gov-
ernment regulatory agencies. However, more companies are establishing programs
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to encourage employees to report illegal or Sherron Watkins, Colleen

unethical practices internally so that they Rowley, and Cynthia Cooper
(left to right) jeopardized
can take steps to remedy problems before their careers by blowing the
they result in legal action or generate whistle at Enron, the FBI, and
negative publicity. In recent years, whistle- WorldCom, respectively. The
blowers have provided crucial evidence three women later ended up
documenting illegal actions at a number on the cover of Time after
being named the magazine’s
of companies. At Enron, for example, 2002 “persons of the year.”
Sherron Watkins, a vice president, warned
the firm’s CEO, Ken Lay, that the energy
company was using improper accounting
procedures. Lay forwarded Watkins’s con-
cerns to Vinson and Elkins, Enron’s outside
lawyers, and they provided opinion letters
approving the questionable transactions.
Watkins also took her concerns to senior
accountants at Arthur Andersen, and it is
unclear if any action was taken. Watkins
sold some of her Enron stock based on
her knowledge, but was not indicted for
insider trading. Soon after, Watkins testified before Congress that Enron had con-
cealed billions of dollars in debt through a complex scheme of off-balance sheet
partnerships.40 Enron ultimately went bankrupt when its improprieties and high
levels of debt were exposed. Unfortunately, whistleblowers are often treated nega-
tively in organizations. The government seeks to discourage this practice by reward-
ing firms that encourage employees to report misconduct—with reduced fines and
penalties when violations occur.
The current trend is to move away from legally based ethical initiatives in orga-
nizations to cultural- or integrity-based initiatives that make ethics a part of core
organizational values. Organizations recognize that effective business ethics pro-
grams are good for business performance. Firms that develop higher levels of trust
function more efficiently and effectively and avoid damaged company reputations
and product images. Organizational ethics initiatives have been supportive of many
positive and diverse organizational objectives, such as profitability, hiring, employee
satisfaction, and customer loyalty.41 Conversely, lack of organizational ethics ini-
tiatives and the absence of workplace values such as honesty, trust, and integrity
can have a negative impact on organizational objectives and employee retention.
According to one report on employee loyalty and work practices, 79 percent of
employees who questioned their bosses’ integrity indicated that they felt uncom-
mitted or were likely to quit soon.42
The Nature of Social Responsibility

There are four dimensions of social responsibility: economic, legal, ethical, and
voluntary (including philanthropic) (Figure 2.3).43 Earning profits is the economic
foundation of the pyramid in Figure 2.3, and complying with the law is the next
step. However a business whose sole objective is to maximize profits is not likely to
consider its social responsibility, although its activities will probably be legal. (We
looked at ethical responsibilities in the first half of this chapter.) Finally, voluntary
responsibilities are additional activities that may not be required but which promote
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FIGURE 2.3
The Pyramid of Social
Responsibility
Source: Reprinted with
permission from A. B. Carroll,
“The Pyramid of Corporate Voluntary
Social Responsibility: Toward
the Moral Management of
Responsibilities
Organizational Stakeholders,” being a "good
Business Horizons, July/August corporate citizen";
1991. Copyright © 1991 by the contributing to the
Board of Trustees at Indiana
University, Kelley School of
community and quality of life
Business.
Ethical Responsibilities
being ethical;
doing what is right, just, and fair;
avoiding harm
Legal Responsibilities
obeying the law (society's codification of
right and wrong);
playing by the rules of the game
Economic Responsibilities
being profitable
human welfare or goodwill. Legal and economic concerns have long been acknowl-
edged in business, but voluntary and ethical issues are more recent concerns.
corporate citizenship Corporate citizenship is the extent to which businesses meet the legal,
the extent to which ethical, economic, and voluntary responsibilities placed on them by their vari-
businesses meet the ous stakeholders. It involves the activities and organizational processes adopted
legal, ethical, eco- by businesses to meet their social responsibilities. A commitment to corporate
nomic, and voluntary citizenship by a firm indicates a strategic focus on fulfilling the social responsi-
responsibilities placed
bilities expected of it by its stakeholders. Corporate citizenship involves action
on them by their stake-
holders
and measurement of the extent to which a firm embraces the corporate citizen-
ship philosophy and then follows through by implementing citizenship and social
responsibility initiatives. One of the major corporate citizenship issues is the focus
on preserving the environment. Consumers, governments, and special interest
groups such as The Nature Conservancy are concerned about greenhouse gases
and CO2 carbon emissions that are contributing to global warming. The United
States was the number-one CO2 producer, at nearly a quarter of the world’s green-
house gas emissions, until China’s emissions surpassed the country sometime in
2006 or 2007. The majority of people agree that climate change in a global emer-
gency, but there is not agreement on how to solve the problem.44 One study done
at Princeton University calls for a reduction of 25 billion tons of carbon emissions
over the next 50 years—the equivalent of erasing nearly four years of global emis-
sions at today’s rates.45
Part of the answer to this crisis is alternative energy such as solar, wind, biofu-
els, and hydro applications. The American Solar Energy Society estimates that the
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1 Intel Corp. TABLE 2.7

2 Eaton Corp. Best Corporate Citizens
3 Nike Inc.
4 Deere and Co.
5 Genentech Inc.
6 Corning Inc.
7 Humana Inc.
8 Bank of America Corp.
9 ITT Corp.
10 PG&E Corp.
11 Dominion Resources Inc.
12 State Street Corp.
13 Dow Chemical Co.
14 Cisco Systems Inc.
15 Wisconsin Energy Corp.
16 Progress Energy Inc.
17 Entergy Corp.
18 Norfolk Southern Corp.
19 Sun Microsystems Inc.
20 Public Service Enterprise Group Inc.
Source: Dennis Schaal, “100 Best Corporate Citizens 2008,” Corporate Responsibility Officer, http://www.thecro.com/files/
100best-JanFeb08-Listing.pdf (accessed April 4, 2008).
number of “green” jobs could rise to 40 million by 2030.46 The drive for alternative
fuels such as ethanol from corn has added new issues such as food price increases
and food shortages. More than 2 billion consumers earn less than $2 a day in wages.
Sharply increased food costs has led to riots and government policies to restrict
trade in basic commodities such as rice, corn, and soybeans.47
To respond to these developments, most companies are introducing eco-friendly
products and marketing efforts. Americans as consumers are generally concerned
about the environment, but only 47 percent trust companies to tell them the truth
in environmental marketing.48 This is because most businesses are promoting
themselves as green-conscious and concerned about the environment without actu-
ally making the necessary commitments to environmental health. Even employees
feel their employers aren’t doing enough to protect the environment, with nearly
60 percent feeling that more needs to be to done to reduce, recycle, and support
green policies.49
Corporate Responsibility Officer (CRO) magazine publishes an annual list of the
100 best American corporate citizens based on service to seven stakeholder groups:
stockholders, local communities, minorities, employees, global stakeholders, cus-
tomers, and the environment. Table 2.7 shows the top 20 from that list.
Although the concept of social responsibility is receiving more and more atten-
tion, it is still not universally accepted. Table 2.8 lists some of the arguments for and
against social responsibility.
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TABLE 2.8 For:

The Arguments For 1. Business helped to create many of the social problems that exist today, so it should play a
and Against Social significant role in solving them, especially in the areas of pollution reduction and cleanup.
Responsibility 2. Businesses should be more responsible because they have the financial and technical
resources to help solve social problems.
3. As members of society, businesses should do their fair share to help others.
4. Socially responsible decision making by businesses can prevent increased government
regulation.
5. Social responsibility is necessary to ensure economic survival: If businesses want
educated and healthy employees, customers with money to spend, and suppliers with
quality goods and services in years to come, they must take steps to help solve the social
and environmental problems that exist today.
Against:
1. It sidetracks managers from the primary goal of business—earning profits. Every dollar
donated to social causes or otherwise spent on society’s problems is a dollar less for
owners and investors.
2. Participation in social programs gives businesses greater power, perhaps at the expense
of particular segments of society.
3. Some people question whether business has the expertise needed to assess and make
decisions about social problems.
4. Many people believe that social problems are the responsibility of government agencies
and officials, who can be held accountable by voters.
Social Responsibility Issues

As with ethics, managers consider social responsibility on a daily basis. Among the
many social issues that managers must consider are their firms’ relations with own-
ers and stockholders, employees, consumers, the environment, and the community.
For example, Indra Nooyi, CEO of PepsiCo, believes that companies must embrace
“purpose,” not just for financial results, but also for the imprint they leave on soci-
ety. She goes on to say that stakeholders, including employees, consumers, and regu-
lators, “will leave no doubt that performance without purpose is not a long-term
sustainable formula.”50
Social responsibility is a dynamic area with issues changing constantly in response
to society’s demands. There is much evidence that social responsibility is associated
with improved business performance. Consumers are refusing to buy from busi-
nesses that receive publicity about misconduct. A number of studies have found a
direct relationship between social responsibility and profitability, as well as a link that
exists between employee commitment and customer loyalty—two major concerns of
any firm trying to increase profits.51 This section highlights a few of the many social
responsibility issues that managers face; as managers become aware of and work
toward the solution of current social problems, new ones will certainly emerge.
Relations with Owners and Stockholders. Businesses must first be respon-
sible to their owners, who are primarily concerned with earning a profit or a return
on their investment in a company. In a small business, this responsibility is fairly
easy to fulfill because the owner(s) personally manages the business or knows the
managers well. In larger businesses, particularly corporations owned by thousands
of stockholders, ensuring responsibility becomes a more difficult task.
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Destination CEO
Bakery with a Conscience
The Dancing Deer Baking Company, located in Boston, Mas- company contributes 35 percent of proceeds from one of its
sachusetts, is one of a growing number of small companies product lines to the Sweet Home Project that provides edu-
that takes social responsibility seriously. They bake all of cation and a fresh start for those who have had unfortunate
their products from all-natural ingredients and mix them all lives: drug addictions, poverty, single parents, and other chal-
with a liberal helping of social conscientiousness. Social lenges. While Dancing Deer may be a small business, it bakes
responsibility is clearly a core value for Dancing Deer. Social up a large number of cookies and brownies each day: 43,000
responsibility is practiced both internally with its employees, cookies and 12,000 brownies, daily! The company has expe-
and externally, with the community. All employees have rienced growth each year, with $10.5 million in sales—up 30
a direct stake in the company with ownership interests, a percent from 2006. CEO Trish Karter is not satisfied, however.
practice introduced when the company was only two years The company has a goal of $50 million in sales within the next
old and hadn’t yet posted a profit. Employee ownership is few years.
only one of a number of progressive employee benefits pro-
vided by the company. In addition to strong employee rela- Discussion Questions
tions, Trish Karter, the company’s CEO, is committed to the 1. Do you think that Dancing Deer Bakery’s social responsi-
social cause of ensuring that people are educated and can bility can positively affect sales? Why or why not?
play productive roles in society. To support this core value, 2. What is the difference between business ethics and
she has emphasized social programs sponsored by the social responsibility? In which does Dancing Deer Bak-
company. ery’s programs fit best?
The company was founded in 1994, its core values of social 3. Dancing Deer Bakery prides itself on its employee rela-
responsibility driving its mission. That remains true today. The tions. Why are employee relations important?
A business’s obligations to its owners and inves-

tors, as well as to the financial community at large,
include maintaining proper accounting procedures,
providing all relevant information to investors about
the current and projected performance of the firm,
and protecting the owners’ rights and investments.
In short, the business must maximize the owners’
investment in the firm.
Employee Relations. Another issue of impor-
tance to a business is its responsibilities to employ-
ees. Without employees, a business cannot carry
out its goals. Employees expect businesses to pro-
vide a safe workplace, pay them adequately for
their work, and keep them informed of what is
happening in their company. They want employers
to listen to their grievances and treat them fairly.
When employees at Ramtech Building Systems Inc.
approached management with their concerns about
cursing used in the company’s manufacturing facili-
ties, a Language Code of Ethics was instituted. Many
employees indicate that obscene language is com- Caption to come for
this photo
mon in the workplace, particularly in high-stress
jobs. For example, 43 percent of the 12,000 U.S. Postal Service employees surveyed
recently reported being cursed at in the workplace.52 Companies are adjusting their
policies and offering training to clean up employee language.
55
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Going Green
Southwest Windpower
Companies globally and nationally are jumping on the turbine range from $12,000 to $15,000. However, depending
renewable energy bandwagon, as consumers demand more on installation costs, wind-speed average, rebates, and local
environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional coal-fired electricity costs, the Skystream 3.7 can pay for itself in as
electricity. Consumers are seeking to minimize their carbon little as five years. With energy use at an all-time high and
footprint and their global greenhouse gas emissions, while increasing, consumers are demanding more environmen-
at the same time circumnavigating higher energy costs. This tally friendly alternatives. The wind turbines produced by
being the case, the idea that consumers might generate their Southwest Windpower hold a lot of potential and may soon
own electricity via wind turbines has never been more via- be a viable energy alternative for a much broader range of
ble. Southwest Windpower, based in Flagstaff, Arizona, has consumers.53
recognized this tremendous market niche. The Skystream
3.7 is the newest creation from Southwest to hit the mar- Discussion Questions
kets. At between 34 and 70 feet tall, with 12-foot rotors, the 1. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of
Skystream 3.7 is capable of producing power with breezes purchasing a wind power system? Is this practical for the
of 8 mph and achieves full output in 23 mph winds. The Sky- average consumer?
stream can be installed in lots as small as one acre, and is 2. What are some of the problems that could arise with wind
exceptionally quiet. (Its range of 40 to 50 decibels is quieter power? What are the advantages?
than the average background noise level in an office.) The 3. What are some other ways consumers can reduce their
target market is not yet the average consumer, as costs per carbon footprint?
Congress has passed several laws regulating safety in the workplace, many of
which are enforced by OSHA. Labor unions have also made significant contribu-
tions to achieving safety in the workplace and improving wages and benefits. Most
organizations now recognize that the safety and satisfaction of their employees are
critical ingredients in their success, and many strive to go beyond what is legally
expected of them. Healthy, satisfied employees also supply more than just labor
to their employers. Employers are beginning to realize the importance of obtain-
ing input from even the lowest-level employees to help the company reach its
objectives.
A major social responsibility for business is providing equal opportunities for
all employees regardless of their sex, age, race, religion, or nationality. Women
and minorities have been slighted in the past in terms of education, employment,
and advancement opportunities; additionally, many of their needs have not been
addressed by business. For example, as many as 1.6 million current and former
female Wal-Mart employees filed a class-action discrimination lawsuit accusing the
giant retailer of paying them lower wages and salaries than it does men in compa-
rable positions. Pretrial proceedings not only uncovered discrepancies between the
pay of men and women but also the fact that men dominate higher-paying store
manager positions while women occupy more than 90 percent of cashier jobs, most
of which pay about $14,000 a year. Wal-Mart faces fines and penalties in the mil-
lions of dollars if found guilty of sexual discrimination.54 Women, who continue
to bear most child-rearing responsibilities, often experience conflict between those
responsibilities and their duties as employees. Consequently, day care has become a
major employment issue for women, and more companies are providing day care
facilities as part of their effort to recruit and advance women in the workforce. In
addition, companies are considering alternative scheduling such as flex-time and
56
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job sharing to accommodate employee concerns. Telecommuting has grown sig-

nificantly over the past 5 to 10 years as well. Many Americans today believe business
has a social obligation to provide special opportunities for women and minorities to
improve their standing in society.
Consumer Relations. A critical issue in business today is business’s respon-

sibility to customers, who look to business to provide them with satisfying, safe
products and to respect their rights as consumers. The activities that indepen-
dent individuals, groups, and organizations undertake to protect their rights as
consumers are known as consumerism. To achieve their objectives, consumers consumerism
and their advocates write letters to companies, lobby government agencies, make the activities that
public service announcements, and boycott companies whose activities they deem independent individuals,
irresponsible. groups, and organizations
Many of the desires of those involved in the consumer movement have a foun- undertake to protect their
rights as consumers
dation in John F. Kennedy’s 1962 consumer bill of rights, which highlighted four
rights. The right to safety means that a business must not knowingly sell anything
that could result in personal injury or harm to consumers. Defective or dangerous
products erode public confidence in the ability of business to serve society. They
also result in expensive litigation that ultimately increases the cost of products
for all consumers. The right to safety also means businesses must provide a safe
place for consumers to shop. In recent years, many large retailers have been under
increasing pressure to improve safety in their large warehouse-type stores. At Home
Depot, for example, three consumer deaths and numerous serious injuries have
been caused by falling merchandise. One lawsuit brought against the company over
injuries received in one of its stores resulted in a $1.5 million judgment. To help
prevent further deaths, injuries, and litigation, Home Depot now has a corporate
safety officer and has hired 130 safety managers to monitor store compliance with
new safety measures.55
The right to be informed gives consumers the freedom to review complete infor-
mation about a product before they buy it. This means that detailed informa-
tion about ingredients, risks, and instructions for use are to be printed on labels
and packages. The right to choose ensures that consumers have access to a variety
of products and services at competitive prices. The assurance of both satisfactory
quality and service at a fair price is also a part of the consumer’s right to choose.
Some consumers are not being given this right. Many are being billed for prod-
ucts and services they never ordered. According to the Federal Trade Commission,
complaints about unordered merchandise and services recently jumped 169 percent
over a two-year period. The right to be heard assures consumers that their interests
will receive full and sympathetic consideration when the government formulates
policy. It also assures the fair treatment of consumers who voice complaints about a
purchased product.
The role of the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection
exists to protect consumers against unfair, deceptive, or fraudulent practices. The
bureau, which enforces a variety of consumer protection laws, is divided into five
divisions. The Division of Enforcement monitors legal compliance and investigates
violations of laws, including unfulfilled holiday delivery promises by online shop-
ping sites, employment opportunities fraud, scholarship scams, misleading adver-
tising for health care products, and more.
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Home Depot acknowledges

the importance of all stake-
holders in operating its
business.
Environmental Issues. Environmental responsibility has become a leading

issue as both business and the public acknowledge the damage done to the envi-
ronment in the past. Today’s consumers are increasingly demanding that busi-
nesses take a greater responsibility for their actions and how they impact the
environment.
Animal Rights. One area of environmental concern in society today is animal
rights. Probably the most controversial business practice in this area is testing
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of cosmetics and drugs on animals, that may be

injured or killed as a result. Animal-rights activists,
such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Ani-
mals (PETA), say such research is morally wrong
because it harms living creatures. Consumers who
share this sentiment may boycott companies that
test products on animals and take their business
instead to companies, such as The Body Shop and
John Paul Mitchell Systems, that do not use animal
testing. However, researchers in the cosmetics and
pharmaceutical industries argue that animal testing
is necessary to prevent harm to human beings who
will eventually use the products. Business practices
that harm endangered wildlife and their habitats are
another environmental issue. Caption to come for
Pollution. Another major issue in the area of envi- this photo
ronmental responsibility is pollution. Water pollution results from dumping toxic
chemicals and raw sewage into rivers and oceans, oil spills, and the burial of indus-
trial waste in the ground where it may filter into underground water supplies. Fertil-
izers and insecticides used in farming and grounds maintenance also run off into
water supplies with each rainfall. Water pollution problems are especially notable in
heavily industrialized areas. Medical waste—such as used syringes, vials of blood,
and HIV-contaminated materials—has turned up on beaches in New York, New Jer-
sey, and Massachusetts, as well as other places. Society is demanding that water sup-
plies be clean and healthful to reduce the potential danger from these substances.
Air pollution is usually the result of smoke and other pollutants emitted by manu-
facturing facilities, as well as carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons emitted by motor
vehicles. In addition to the health risks posed by air pollution, when some chemical
compounds emitted by manufacturing facilities react with air and rain, acid rain
results. Acid rain has contributed to the deaths of many forests and lakes in North
America as well as in Europe. Air pollution may also contribute to global warming;
as carbon dioxide collects in the earth’s atmosphere, it traps the sun’s heat and pre-
• 50 percent of National Association of Home Builders members incorporate “green” into Facts Related to
their building practices. Reducing Energy
Consumption
• 2 percent of homes built in 2006 were considered “green.” By 2010, that number will rise
to an estimated 10 percent of homes built.
• You can make 20 cans out of recycled material with the same amount of energy it takes to
make one new one.
• About 2,700 pounds of CO2 per person annually (18 percent of total emissions) come
from operating our homes, and most of that is from the energy used to power electrical
appliances.
• ENERGY STAR appliances incorporate advanced technologies that use between 10 and
15 percent less energy and water than standard models.
• Preventing one ton of paper waste saves between 15 and 17 medium-sized trees.
Source: The National Association of Home Builders; http://www.epa.gov; NAHB House Keys, March 2007.
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Going Green
EarthCraft Houses: Crafted for Earth
These days, almost everyone seems to be going green. How- these questions, a little background information is required.
ever, most people seek easy solutions, such as purchas- Construction and maintenance of homes and offices are
ing local organic produce, buying chemical-free household major sources of CO2 emissions. EarthCraft houses, on the
products, or driving a hybrid car. Most of us probably believe other hand, can reduce emissions by more than 1,100 pounds
that not many people live in homes that are entirely “green.” of greenhouse gases per home each year. EarthCraft homes
Although it may not be page-one news, the green trend is also use many recycled and renewable materials as possi-
growing in today’s housing market. Among those companies ble, as well as conserving water and reducing storm water
promoting green living is EarthCraft House. Founded in 1999 by pollution.
the Atlanta Home Builders Association and Southface Home, Homeowner benefits are twofold. One of the aims of Earth-
EarthCraft aims to build comfortable homes that reduce utility Craft is to create a healthier home. For example, an EarthCraft
costs while at the same time benefiting the environment. home can reduce levels of mold, mildew, and dust. Therefore
As of 2007, EarthCraft House had certified more than 4,000 EarthCraft homes can benefit our bodies in addition to reduc-
single-family homes and 1,500 multifamily dwelling units ing our carbon footprint. An EarthCraft home can also benefit
within the Atlanta metro area. Atlanta also boasts six Earth- our wallets. EarthCraft home buyers can take advantage of
Craft communities. EarthCraft House has expanded beyond two different kinds of mortgage incentives. The Energy Effi-
Georgia to South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, and Virginia. cient Mortgage increases the buyer’s purchasing power due
All are supported by local state agencies and home-builder’s to the lower operating costs of an energy-efficient home.
associations. Similar organizations exist in Florida (Green The Energy Improvement Mortgage can be used to finance
Building Coalition) and North Carolina (Healthy Built Homes). energy-efficient upgrades on an existing home. All in all,
So, what is an EarthCraft house? The house can be newly EarthCraft and similar companies predict that by 2010, 10 per-
constructed or renovated, and can be tailored to fit price cent of all homes will be green.57
point. To be certified by EarthCraft, a house must meet certain
guidelines in energy efficiency, durability, indoor air quality, Discussion Questions
resource efficiency, waste management, and water conser- 1. In addition to reducing carbon dioxide emissions, what
vation. All new homes must meet ENERGY STAR certification are other reasons to build an energy-efficient, “green”
criteria and must score at least 150 points on an EarthCraft house?
scoring sheet. Those homes that score 200 or 230 points are 2. What type of incentive would cause you to pay extra for
awarded select or premium status, respectively. an energy-efficient house?
So, how does an EarthCraft house benefit the environ- 3. What additional incentives might convince people to go
ment, and how does it benefit the homeowner? To answer green when building or remodeling their homes?
vents the earth’s surface from cooling. It is indisputable that the global surface tem-
perature has been increasing over the past 35 years. Worldwide passenger vehicle
ownership has been growing due to rapid industrialization and consumer purchas-
ing power in China, India, and other developing countries with large populations.
The most important way to contain climate change is to control carbon emissions.
The move to green buildings, higher-mileage cars, and other emissions reductions
resulting from better efficiency have the potential to generate up to 50 percent of
the reductions needed to keep warming at no more than 2⬚ C above present tem-
peratures—considered the “safe” level.56 The 2007 U.S. Federal Energy bill raised
average fuel economy (CAFE) standards to 35 mpg for cars by 2020, while Europe
has the goal of a 40 mpg standard by the same deadline. Because buildings create
half of U.S. greenhouse emissions, there is tremendous opportunity to develop con-
servation measures. For example, some utilities charge more for electricity in peak
demand periods, which encourages behavioral changes that reduce consumption.
On the positive side, there are more than 100 million bicycles produced annually
worldwide, more than double the passenger vehicles produced.58
60
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Land pollution is tied directly to water pollution because many of the chemi-
cals and toxic wastes that are dumped on the land eventually work their way into
the water supply. A 2008 study conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency
found residues of prescription drugs, soaps, and other contaminants in virtually
every waterway in the United States. Effects of these pollutants on humans and
wildlife are uncertain, but there is some evidence to suggest that fish and other
water-dwellers are starting to suffer serious effects.59 Land pollution results from
the dumping of residential and industrial waste, strip mining, forest fires, and poor
forest conservation. In Brazil and other South American countries, rain forests are
being destroyed—to make way for farms and ranches, at a cost of the extinction
of the many animals and plants (some endangered species) that call the rain forest
home. In the second half of 2007 alone, an area the size of Rhode Island was lost in
the Brazilian Amazon—a rate that is speeding up as agriculture becomes a more
attractive industry.60 Large-scale deforestation also depletes the oxygen supply avail-
able to humans and other animals.
Related to the problem of land pollution is the larger issue of how to dispose of
waste in an environmentally responsible manner. Americans are producing more
trash, with the average person producing about 5 pounds of trash every day up
from about 3.3 pounds in 1970. At the same time, more than 30 percent of Ameri-
cans recycle, up from 8 percent in 1970.61 Americans use 100 billion plastic bags
each year, which is between 10 and 20 percent of the total global usage (estimated
at 500 billion to 1 trillion bags).62 It takes 1,000 years for the bags to decompose.
San Francisco has banned plastic bags; Ireland is now charging a nationwide tax of
15 cents on all supermarket shopping bags; and Australia and China are planning
a similar program.63 Whole Foods, the nation’s leading natural and organic super-
market, ended its use of plastic bags on Earth Day 2008.64 Whole Foods estimates
that this move will keep 150 million new plastic grocery bags out of the environ-
ment each year.
Response to Environmental Issues. Partly in response to federal legislation such as
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and partly due to consumer concerns,
businesses are responding to environmental issues. Many small and large compa-
nies, including Walt Disney Company, Chevron, and Scott Paper, have created a new
executive position—a vice president of environmental affairs—to help them achieve
their business goals in an environmentally responsible manner. A survey indicated
that 83.5 percent of Fortune 500 companies have a written environmental policy,
74.7 percent engage in recycling efforts, and 69.7 percent have made investments
in waste-reduction efforts.65 In early 2008, the EPA announced that 53 Fortune 500
companies had exceeded their goals for purchasing green energy credits.66 Many
companies, including Alcoa, Dow Chemical, Phillips Petroleum, and Raytheon, now
link executive pay to environmental performance.67 Some companies are finding
that environmental consciousness can save them money. DuPont saved more than
$3 billion through energy conservation by replacing natural gas with methane in its
industrial boilers in many of its plants.68
Many firms are trying to eliminate wasteful prac-
tices, the emission of pollutants, and/or the use of Did You Know? In one year, Americans
harmful chemicals from their manufacturing pro- generated 230 million tons of trash and recycled
cesses. Other companies are seeking ways to imp- 23.5 percent of it.69
rove their products. Utility providers, for example,
are increasingly supplementing their services with
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alternative energy sources, including solar, wind, and geothermal power. Duke Power
is the third largest corporate emitter of carbon dioxide (after American Electric Power
and Southern Companies) in the United States. Duke is proactively going green with
500,000 solar panels on rooftops over a five-state territory. The utility is also install-
ing a $1 billion communication network to optimize the flow of electricity through
the grid. The firm is looking to nuclear power plants and a Save-A-Watt program to
encourage consumers to use less energy. Environmentalists are concerned that the
company is merely greenwashing, or “creating a positive association with environ-
mental issues for an unsuitable product, service, or practice.” Even while preaching
conservation as a solution, Duke plans to invest $23 billion in the next five years
to build new coal and gas plants.70 In many places, local utility customers can even
elect to purchase electricity from green sources—primarily wind power—for a few
extra dollars a month. Austin Energy of Austin, Texas, has an award-winning Green-
Choice program that includes many small and large businesses among its custom-
ers.71 Indeed, a growing number of businesses and consumers are choosing “green
power” sources where available. New Belgium Brewing, the third largest craft brewer
in the United States, is the first all-wind-powered brewery in the country. Many busi-
nesses have turned to recycling, the reprocessing of materials—aluminum, paper,
glass, and some plastic—for reuse. Such efforts to make products, packaging, and
processes more environmentally friendly have been labeled “green” business or mar-
keting by the public and media. Lumber products at Home Depot may carry a seal
from the Forest Stewardship Council to indicate that they were harvested from sus-
tainable forests using environmentally friendly methods.72 Likewise, most Chiquita
bananas are certified through the Better Banana Project as having been grown with
more environmentally and labor-friendly practices.73
It is important to recognize that, with current technology, environmental
responsibility requires trade-offs. Society must weigh the huge costs of limiting
or eliminating pollution against the health threat posed by the pollution. Envi-
ronmental responsibility imposes costs on both business and the public. Although
people certainly do not want oil fouling beautiful waterways and killing wildlife,
they insist on low-cost, readily available gasoline and heating oil. People do not
want to contribute to the growing garbage-disposal problem, but they often refuse
to pay more for “green” products packaged in an environmentally friendly man-
ner, to recycle as much of their own waste as possible, or to permit the build-
ing of additional waste-disposal facilities (the “not in my backyard,” or NIMBY,
syndrome). Managers must coordinate environmental goals with other social and
economic ones.
Community Relations. A final, yet very significant, issue for businesses con-
cerns their responsibilities to the general welfare of the communities and societies
in which they operate. Many businesses simply want to make their communities
better places for everyone to live and work. The most common way that businesses
exercise their community responsibility is through donations to local and national
charitable organizations. Corporations contribute more than $12 billion each year
to environmental and social causes.74 For example, Safeway, the nation’s fourth-
largest grocer, has donated millions of dollars to organizations involved in medical
research, such as Easter Seals and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
International. The company’s employees have also raised funds to support social
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causes of interest.75 Avon’s Breast Cancer Awareness Crusade has helped raise $300
million to fund community-based breast cancer education and early detection
services. Avon, a marketer of women’s cosmetics, is also known for employing a
large number of women and promoting them to top management; the firm has
more female top managers (86 percent) than any other Fortune 500 company.76
Even small companies participate in philanthropy through donations and volun-
teer support of local causes and national charities, such as the Red Cross and the
United Way.
After realizing that the current pool of prospective employees lacks many
basic skills necessary to work, many companies have become concerned about
the quality of education in the United States. Recognizing that today’s students
are tomorrow’s employees and customers, firms
such as Kroger, Campbell’s Soup, Kodak, American
Express, Apple Computer, Xerox, and Coca-Cola
are donating money, equipment, and employee
time to help improve schools in their communities
and around the nation. They provide scholarship
money, support for teachers, and computers for
students, and they send employees out to tutor and
motivate young students to stay in school and suc-
ceed. Target, for example, contributes significant
resources to education, including direct donations
of $100 million to schools as well as fund-rais-
ing and scholarship programs that assist teachers
and students. Through the retailer’s Take Charge
of Education program, customers using a Target
Guest Card can designate a specific school to which Caption to come for
Target donates 1 percent of their total purchase this photo
price. This program is designed to make customers feel that their purchases are
benefiting their community while increasing the use of Target Guest Cards.77
Another tactic taken by some companies is to let consumers decide whether they
want to contribute to socially responsible activities. What if Dell sold one notebook
computer for $1,000 and the same computer for $1,150, with the understanding
that the purchase of this computer would support the fight against AIDS around the
world? Dell and Microsoft recently created products for the Product(Red) campaign,
joining other large corporations such as The Gap, Apple, and Motorola in support
of The Global Fund, an international organization fighting AIDS, tuberculosis, and
malaria. The Product(Red) computer sold by Dell is significant to consumers and
communicates their support to others.79
Business is also beginning to take more responsibility for the hard-core unem-
ployed. These are people who have never had a job or who have been unemployed
for a long period of time. Some are mentally or physically handicapped; some are
homeless. Organizations such as the National Alliance of Businessmen fund pro-
grams to train the hard-core unemployed so that they can find jobs and support
themselves. In addition to fostering self-support, such opportunities enhance self-
esteem and help people become productive members of society.
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So You Want a Job in Business Ethics

and Social Responsibility
In the words of Kermit the Frog, “It’s not easy being and management. An entry-level position might be as a
green.” Maybe it is not easy, however, green business communication specialist or trainer for programs in a
opportunities abound. A popular catch phrase, “Green is business ethics department. Eventually there’s an oppor-
the new black,” indicating how fashionable green busi- tunity to become an ethics officer that would have typi-
ness is becoming. Consumers are more in tune with and cal responsibilities of meeting with employees, the Board
concerned about green products, policies, and behaviors of Directors and top management to discuss and provide
by companies than ever before. Companies are looking advice about ethics issues in the industry, developing and
for new hires to help them see their business creatively distributing a code of ethics, creating and maintaining
and bring insights to all aspects of business operations. an anonymous, confidential service to answer questions
The American Solar Energy Society estimates that the about ethical issues, taking actions on possible ethics
number of green jobs could rise to 40 million in the United code violations and reviewing and modifying the code of
States by 2030. Green business strategies not only give a ethics of the organization.
firm a commercial advantage in the marketplace, but help There are also opportunities to help with initiatives to
lead the way toward a greener world. The fight to reduce help company’s relate social responsibility to stakeholder
our carbon footprint in an attempt against climate change interests and needs. These jobs could involve coordinat-
has opened up opportunities for renewable energy, recy- ing and implementing philanthropic programs that give
cling, conservation and increasing overall efficiency in back to others important to the organization or develop-
the way resources are used. New businesses that focus ing a community volunteering program for employees. In
on hydro, wind, and solar power are on the rise and will addition to the human relations function, most companies
need talented business people to lead them. Carbon emis- develop programs to assist employees and their families
sions’ trading is gaining popularity as large corporations to improve their quality of life. Companies have found that
and individuals alike seek to lower their footprints. A job the healthier and happier employees are the more pro-
in this growing field could be similar to that of a stock ductive they will be in the workforce.
trader or you could lead the search for carbon efficient Social responsibility, ethics, and sustainable business
companies in which to invest. practices are not a trend, they are good for business and
In the ethics arena, current trends in business gov- the bottom line. Just ask Toyota who sold well over a 1
ernance strongly support the development of ethics and million hybrid cars worldwide in ten years. New indus-
compliance departments to help guide organizational tries are being created and old ones are adapting to the
integrity. This alone is a billion-dollar business, and there new market demands, opening up many varied job oppor-
are jobs in developing organizational ethics programs, tunities that will lead to more than a paycheck, but to the
developing company policies and training employees satisfaction of making the world a better place.78
Review Your Understanding

Define business ethics and social responsibility and to maximize its positive impact and minimize its nega-
examine their importance. tive impact on society. Socially responsible businesses
Business ethics refers to principles and standards that win the trust and respect of their employees, customers,
define acceptable business conduct. Acceptable busi- and society and, in the long run, increase profits. Ethics
ness behavior is defined by customers, competitors, gov- is important in business because it builds trust and con-
ernment regulators, interest groups, the public, and each fidence in business relationships. Unethical actions may
individual’s personal moral principles and values. Social result in negative publicity, declining sales, and even legal
responsibility is the obligation an organization assumes action.
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Detect some of the ethical issues that may arise the firm to investors, and protect the owners’ rights and
in business. investments. In relations with employees, businesses are
An ethical issue is an identifiable problem, situation, or expected to provide a safe workplace, pay employees
opportunity requiring a person or organization to choose adequately for their work, and treat them fairly. Consum-
from among several actions that must be evaluated as erism refers to the activities undertaken by independent
right or wrong. Ethical issues can be categorized in the individuals, groups, and organizations to protect their
context of their relation with conflicts of interest, fairness rights as consumers. Increasingly, society expects busi-
and honesty, communications, and business associations. nesses to take greater responsibility for the environment,
especially with regard to animal rights, as well as water,
Specify how businesses can promote ethical behavior air, land, and noise pollution. Many businesses engage in
by employees. activities to make the communities in which they operate
Businesses can promote ethical behavior by employees better places for everyone to live and work.
by limiting their opportunity to engage in misconduct. For-
Evaluate the ethics of a business’s decision.
mal codes of ethics, ethical policies, and ethics training
programs reduce the incidence of unethical behavior by “Solve the Dilemma” on page xx presents an ethical
informing employees what is expected of them and provid- dilemma at Checkers Pizza. Using the material presented
ing punishments for those who fail to comply. in this chapter, you should be able to analyze the ethical
issues present in the dilemma, evaluate Barnard’s plan,
Explain the four dimensions of social responsibility. and develop a course of action for the firm.
The four dimensions of social responsibility are economic
(being profitable), legal (obeying the law), ethical (doing
what is right, just, and fair), and voluntary (being a good
corporate citizen).
Debate an organization’s social responsibilities
to owners, employees, consumers, the environment,
and the community.
Businesses must maintain proper accounting procedures,
provide all relevant information about the performance of
Revisit the World of Business

1. What are some of the advantages of having a corpo- 3. Think of some methods of benchmarking. How would
rate code of ethics? Is it important? these tools help a company seeking to improve its
2. Who is the reading audience for Ethisphere maga- code of ethics and compliance systems?
zine? How might such a publication help these readers?
Learn the Terms

bribes 000 consumerism 000 plagiarism 000
business ethics 000 corporate citizenship 000 social responsibility 000
codes of ethics 000 ethical issue 000 whistleblowing 000
Check Your Progress

1. Define business ethics. Who determines whether 2. Distinguish between ethics and social responsibility.
a business activity is ethical? Is unethical conduct 3. Why has ethics become so important in business?
always illegal?
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4. What is an ethical issue? What are some of the 8. What responsibilities does business have with
ethical issues named in your text? Why are they regard to the environment? What steps have been
ethical issues? taken by some responsible businesses to minimize
5. What is a code of ethics? How can one reduce the negative impact of their activities on the
unethical behavior in business? environment?
6. List and discuss the arguments for and against social 9. What are a business’s responsibilities toward the
responsibility by business (Table 2.8). Can you think community in which it operates?
of any additional arguments (for or against)?
7. What responsibilities does a business have toward
its employees?
Get Involved
1. Discuss some recent examples of businesses that business should regulate its own activities or
engaging in unethical practices. Classify these that the federal government should establish and
practices as issues of conflict of interest, fairness enforce ethical standards? How do you think
and honesty, communications, or business businesspeople feel?
relationships. Why do you think the businesses 3 . Find some examples of socially responsible
chose to behave unethically? What actions might businesses in newspapers or business journals.
the businesses have taken? Explain why you believe their actions are socially
2. Discuss with your class some possible methods of responsible. Why do you think the companies chose
improving ethical standards in business. Do you think to act as they did?
Build Your Skills

MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT ETHICAL ISSUES
Background Task
The merger of Lockheed and Martin Form into groups of four to six managers and appoint
Marietta created Lockheed Martin, the a group leader who will lead a discussion of the case,
number-one company in the defense obtain a consensus answer to the case, and be the one to
industry—an industry that includes such report the group’s answers to the instructor. You will have
companies as McDonnell Douglas and Northrop Grumman. five minutes to reach each decision, after which time, the
You and the rest of the class are managers at Lockheed instructor will give the point values and rationale for each
Martin Corporation, Orlando, Florida. You are getting ready choice. Then you will have five minutes for the next case,
to do the group exercise in an ethics training session. The etc., until all four cases have been completed. Keep track
training instructor announces you will be playing Gray of your group’s score for each case; the winning team will
Matters: The Ethics Game. You are told that Gray Matters, be the group scoring the most points.
which was prepared for your company’s employees, is also Since this game is designed to reflect life, you may
played at 41 universities, including Harvard University, and believe that some cases lack clarity or that some of your
at 65 other companies. Although there are 55 scenarios choices are not as precise as you would have liked. Also,
in Gray Matters, you will have time during this session to some cases have only one solution, while others have
complete only the four scenarios that your group draws more than one solution. Each choice is assessed points
from the stack of cards.80 to reflect which answer is the most correct. Your group’s
task is to select only one option in each case.
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4 7
Mini-Case Mini-Case
For several months now, one of your colleagues has been You are aware that a fellow employee uses drugs on the
slacking off, and you are getting stuck doing the work. job. Another friend encourages you to confront the per-
You think it is unfair. What do you do? son instead of informing the supervisor. What do you do?
Potential Answers Potential Answers
A. Recognize this as an opportunity for you to A. You speak to the alleged user and encourage him
demonstrate how capable you are. to get help.
B. Go to your supervisor and complain about this unfair B. You elect to tell your supervisor that you suspect an
workload. employee is using drugs on the job.
C. Discuss the problem with your colleague in an C. You confront the alleged user and tell him either to
attempt to solve the problem without involving quit using drugs or you will “turn him in.”
others. D. Report the matter to employee assistance.
D. Discuss the problem with the human resources
department.
36 40
Mini-Case Mini-Case
You work for a company that has implemented a policy of a Your co-worker is copying company-purchased soft-
smoke-free environment. You discover employees smoking ware and taking it home. You know a certain program
in the restrooms of the building. You also smoke and don’t costs $400, and you have been saving for a while to buy
like having to go outside to do it. What do you do? it. What do you do?
Potential Answers Potential Answers
A. You ignore the situation. A. You figure you can copy it too since nothing has
B. You confront the employees and ask them to stop. ever happened to your co-worker.
C. You join them, but only occasionally. B. You tell your co-worker he can’t legally do this.
D. You contact your ethics or human resources C. You report the matter to the ethics office.
representative and ask him or her to handle the D. You mention this to your supervisor.
situation.
Solve the Dilemma

Customer Privacy
Checkers Pizza was one of the first to into consumer buying behavior at the same time. Under
offer home delivery service, with over- the system, telephone customers were asked their phone
whelming success. However, the major number; if they had ordered from Checkers before, their
pizza chains soon followed suit, taking address and previous order information came up on the
away Checkers’s competitive edge. Jon computer screen.
Barnard, Checkers’s founder and co-owner, needed a new After successfully testing the new system, Barnard put
gimmick to beat the competition. He decided to develop the computerized order network in place in all Checkers
a computerized information database that would make outlets. After three months of success, he decided to give
Checkers the most efficient competitor and provide insight an award to the family that ate the most Checkers pizza.
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Through the tracking system, the company identified the Discussion Questions
biggest customer, who had ordered a pizza every week- 1. What are some of the ethical issues in giving cus-
day for the past three months (63 pizzas). The company put tomers an award for consumption behavior without
together a program to surprise the family with an award, notifying them first?
free-food certificates, and a news story announcing the
2. Do you see this as a potential violation of privacy?
award. As Barnard began to plan for the event, however,
Explain.
he began to think that maybe the family might not want all
the attention and publicity. 3. How would you handle the situation if you were
Barnard?
Build Your Business Plan

BUSINESS ETHICS AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Think about which industry you are For example, if you are thinking of opening a lawn care
considering competing in with your business, you need to be thinking about what possible
product/service. Is there any kind of effects the chemicals you are using will have on the cli-
questionable practices in the way the ent and the environment. You have a responsibility to keep
product has been traditionally sold? Pro- your customers safe and healthy. You also have the social
duced? Advertised? Have there been any recent accusa- responsibility to let the community know of any damaging
tions regarding safety within the industry? What about any effect you may be directly or indirectly responsible for.
environmental concerns?
See for Yourself Videocase

IS YOUR SHIRT ORGANIC? THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY GOES GREEN
Social responsibility is defined as a busi- in California alone are treated with 6.9 million pounds of
ness’s obligation to maximize its positive chemicals annually. These chemicals can easily seep into
impact and minimize its negative impact the ground, creating a host of environmental and health
on society; therefore it stands to reason dangers. Research indicates that synthetic fertilizers, soil
that environmental responsibility may be additives, defoliants, and other substances do untold dam-
defined as a business’s obligation to maximize its positive age to soil, water, air, and living organisms.
impact and minimize its negative impact on the environ- Even though consumers are beginning to demand envi-
ment. As global warming concerns escalate and threats to ronmentally and socially responsible goods, they are also
wildlife, plants, and humans increase, it is becoming nec- the group inhibiting the clothing industry’s transition to
essary for individuals and businesses to admit the problem greener practices. Regardless of heightened eco-friendly
and address their environmental responsibility. The cloth- awareness, clothing consumers, on average, still tend to
ing industry has long been a large polluter responsible for base their purchases primarily on price and style. There
hefty negative impact on the environment. Environmental is also the green “granola” image to overcome. Many
groups such as Earth Pledge, a non-profit that encourages people still do not think that eco-friendly clothing can be
sustainable development, have been urging the clothing fashionable, although a number of top designers and fash-
industry to clean up its act. Finally, it appears as if these ion brands like Stella McCartney, Donna Karan, H&M, and
pleas may finally be heard, as consumers across the Rogan for Target have all released organic lines. Barneys
board have begun to lend their support to environmentally New York, the high end department store, now stocks
responsible companies. organic fashions; and popular celebrities such as Bono
Switching to more eco-friendly clothing materials can from U2 and actress Natalie Portman are lending their star
do much to benefit the environment. For example, accord- power to promoting the cause as well.
ing to Organic Exchange, a nonprofit supporting the use of Outdoor clothing retailers have less of a challenge,
organic cotton, a single cotton t-shirt produced with con- being that their target market spends more time out in
ventional cotton requires the application of 1/3 of a pound nature and may, therefore, care more about environmen-
of chemicals. According to the environmentally responsi- tal responsibility. For example, many of us are familiar with
ble outdoor clothier Patagonia, conventional cotton crops Teva sandals and shoes. Teva’s parent company, Deckers
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Outdoor, was founded by a river guide who wanted to run market research firm NDP Group states that the number of
a green company from the start. Even so, Teva is just now consumers interested in eco-friendly products (excluding
beginning to become heavily involved in using recycled cars and food) grew 15 percent in 2007. Leslie Hoffman of
materials in its shoes. In 2007, the company introduced a Earth Pledge, a group supporting sustainable practices in
new collection of shoes, dubbed the Curbside collection corporations and government, notes that in 2004 clothing
that is composed of recycled materials such as car tires, designers could make use of only about 50 or 60 renew-
factory scrap rubber, and plastic bottles. able, non-polluting materials. Today, she says designers
A longtime pioneer in eco-friendly practices, Patagonia have access to around 700 different eco-friendly materi-
goes all out to make its clothing as green as possible. The als. Hopefully, consumers will support the environmentally
company began creating clothing from recycled soda bot- responsible steps taken in the fashion industry in order to
tles in 1993. Today it has expanded the materials it uses to further the cause.81
include second hand garments and other fabrics. In 1996,
the company transitioned to using organic cotton exclu- Discussion Questions
sively. This one small change has lessened Patagonia’s 1. What is driving the transition to more eco-friendly
dependence on oil, reduced toxic emissions, lessened its clothing?
contribution to landfills, and reduced levels of soil, air, and 2. What are the advantages of switching to environ-
water contamination. In 2005, the company also imple- mentally friendly clothing production practices?
mented its Common Threads Garment Recycling program 3. What are the challenges faced by the fashion indus-
so that customers may return old garments to Patagonia try when making this switch?
stores for reuse in new clothing.
Although the progress toward eco-friendly clothing Remember to check out our Online Learning
and sustainable clothing practices has been slow, fash- Center at www.mhhe.com/ferrell7e.
ion is moving in the right direction. Marshall Cohen of the
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Appendix A
The Legal and Regulatory
Environment
Business law refers to the rules and regulations that
govern the conduct of business. Problems in this area
Courts and the Resolution
come from the failure to keep promises, misunder- of Disputes
standings, disagreements about expectations, or, in
The primary method of resolving conflicts and busi-
some cases, attempts to take advantage of others.
ness disputes is through lawsuits, where one individ-
The regulatory environment offers a framework and
ual or organization takes another to court using civil
enforcement system in order to provide a fair playing
laws. The legal system, therefore, provides a forum
field for all businesses. The regulatory environment
for businesspeople to resolve disputes based on our
is created based on inputs from competitors, cus-
legal foundations. The courts may decide when harm
tomers, employees, special interest groups, and the
or damage results from the actions of others.
public’s elected representatives. Lobbying by pressure
Because lawsuits are so frequent in the world of
groups who try to influence legislation often shapes
business, it is important to understand more about
the legal and regulatory environment.
the court system where such disputes are resolved.
Both financial restitution and specific actions to
Sources of Law undo wrongdoing can result from going before a
Laws are classified as either criminal or civil. Criminal court to resolve a conflict. All decisions made in the
law not only prohibits a specific kind of action, such as
unfair competition or mail fraud, but also imposes a
fine or imprisonment as punishment for violating the
law. A violation of a criminal law is thus called a crime.
Civil law defines all the laws not classified as criminal,
and it specifies the rights and duties of individuals
and organizations (including businesses). Violations
of civil law may result in fines but not imprisonment.
The primary difference between criminal and civil
law is that criminal laws are enforced by the state or
nation, whereas civil laws are enforced through the
court system by individuals or organizations.
Criminal and civil laws are derived from four
sources: the Constitution (constitutional law), prec-
edents established by judges (common law), federal
and state statutes (statutory law), and federal and
state administrative agencies (administrative law).
Federal administrative agencies established by Con-
gress control and influence business by enforcing
laws and regulations to encourage competition and
protect consumers, workers, and the environment.
Marcia & Bill Baker found Heinz was underfilling their 20-oz.
The Supreme Court is the ultimate authority on legal ketchup bottles by 1.5 oz. Heinz paid civil penalties and costs of
and regulatory decisions for appropriate conduct in $180,000 and had to overfill all ketchup bottles in California by
business. 1/8 oz. for a year.
70
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APPENDIX A The Legal and Regulatory Environment 71
courts are based on criminal and civil laws derived trial. If the trial judge made no mistake (or if mis-
from the legal and regulatory system. takes would not have changed the result of the trial),
A businessperson may win a lawsuit in court and the appellate court will let the trial court’s decision
receive a judgment, or court order, requiring the loser stand. If the appellate court finds a mistake, it usu-
of the suit to pay monetary damages. However, this ally sends the case back to the trial court so that the
does not guarantee the victor will be able to collect mistake can be corrected. Correction may involve the
those damages. If the loser of the suit lacks the finan- granting of a new trial. On occasion, appellate courts
cial resources to pay the judgment—for example, if modify the verdict of the trial court without sending
the loser is a bankrupt business—the winner of the the case back to the trial court.
suit may not be able to collect the award. Most busi-
ness lawsuits involve a request for a sum of money, Alternative Dispute Resolution Methods
but some lawsuits request that a court specifically Although the main remedy for business disputes is a
order a person or organization to do or to refrain lawsuit, other dispute resolution methods are becom-
from doing a certain act, such as slamming telephone ing popular. The schedules of state and federal trial
customers. courts are often crowded; long delays between the fil-
ing of a case and the trial date are common. Further,
The Court System complex cases can become quite expensive to pur-
Jurisdiction is the legal power of a court, through a sue. As a result, many businesspeople are turning to
judge, to interpret and apply the law and make a bind- alternative methods of resolving business arguments:
ing decision in a particular case. In some instances, mediation and arbitration, the mini-trial, and litiga-
other courts will not enforce the decision of a prior tion in a private court.
court because it lacked jurisdiction. Federal courts Mediation is a form of negotiation to resolve
are granted jurisdiction by the Constitution or by a dispute by bringing in one or more third-party
Congress. State legislatures and constitutions deter- mediators, usually chosen by the disputing parties, to
mine which state courts hear certain types of cases. help reach a settlement. The mediator suggests dif-
Courts of general jurisdiction hear all types of cases; ferent ways to resolve a dispute between the parties.
those of limited jurisdiction hear only specific types The mediator’s resolution is nonbinding—that is,
of cases. The Federal Bankruptcy Court, for example, the parties do not have to accept the mediator’s sug-
hears only cases involving bankruptcy. There is some gestions; they are strictly voluntary.
combination of limited and general jurisdiction Arbitration involves submission of a dispute to
courts in every state. one or more third-party arbitrators, usually chosen
In a trial court (whether in a court of general or by the disputing parties, whose decision usually is
limited jurisdiction and whether in the state or the final. Arbitration differs from mediation in that an
federal system), two tasks must be completed. First, arbitrator’s decision must be followed, whereas a
the court (acting through the judge or a jury) must mediator merely offers suggestions and facilitates
determine the facts of the case. In other words, if negotiations. Cases may be submitted to arbitra-
there is conflicting evidence, the judge or jury must tion because a contract—such as a labor contract—
decide who to believe. Second, the judge must decide requires it or because the parties agree to do so. Some
which law or set of laws is pertinent to the case and consumers are barred from taking claims to court by
must then apply those laws to resolve the dispute. agreements drafted by banks, brokers, health plans,
An appellate court, on the other hand, deals solely and others. Instead, they are required to take com-
with appeals relating to the interpretation of law. plaints to mandatory arbitration. Arbitration can
Thus, when you hear about a case being appealed, be an attractive alternative to a lawsuit because it is
it is not retried, but rather reevaluated. Appellate often cheaper and quicker, and the parties frequently
judges do not hear witnesses but instead base their can choose arbitrators who are knowledgeable about
decisions on a written transcript of the original trial. the particular area of business at issue.
Moreover, appellate courts do not draw factual con- A method of dispute resolution that may become
clusions; the appellate judge is limited to deciding increasingly important in settling complex disputes is
whether the trial judge made a mistake in interpret- the mini-trial, in which both parties agree to present
ing the law that probably affected the outcome of the a summarized version of their case to an independent
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third party. That person then advises them of his to formal court rules, it can save companies a great
or her impression of the probable outcome if the deal of money, allowing them to recognize the weak-
case were to be tried. Representatives of both sides nesses in a particular case.
then attempt to negotiate a settlement based on the In some areas of the country, disputes can be sub-
advisor’s recommendations. For example, employees mitted to a private nongovernmental court for reso-
in a large corporation who believe they have muscu- lution. In a sense, a private court system is similar to
lar or skeletal stress injuries caused by the strain of arbitration in that an independent third party resolves
repetitive motion in using a computer could agree to the case after hearing both sides of the story. Trials in
a mini-trial to address a dispute related to damages. private courts may be either informal or highly for-
Although the mini-trial itself does not resolve the mal, depending on the people involved. Businesses
dispute, it can help the parties resolve the case before typically agree to have their disputes decided in pri-
going to court. Because the mini-trial is not subject vate courts to save time and money.
TABLE A.1 The Major Regulatory Agencies

Agency Major Areas of Responsibility
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Enforces laws and guidelines regarding business practices;
takes action to stop false and deceptive advertising and
labeling.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Enforces laws and regulations to prevent distribution of
adulterated or misbranded foods, drugs, medical devices,
cosmetics, veterinary products, and particularly hazardous
consumer products.
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Ensures compliance with the Consumer Product Safety Act;
protects the public from unreasonable risk of injury from any
consumer product not covered by other regulatory agencies.
Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) Regulates franchises, rates, and finances of interstate rail, bus,
truck, and water carriers.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Regulates communication by wire, radio, and television in
interstate and foreign commerce.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Develops and enforces environmental protection standards
and conducts research into the adverse effects of pollution.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Regulates rates and sales of natural gas products, thereby
affecting the supply and price of gas available to consumers;
also regulates wholesale rates for electricity and gas, pipeline
construction, and U.S. imports and exports of natural gas and
electricity.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Investigates and resolves discrimination in employment
practices.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Oversees the policies and regulations of the airline industry.
Federal Highway Administration (FHA) Regulates vehicle safety requirements.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Develops policy to promote worker safety and health and
investigates infractions.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Regulates corporate securities trading and develops protection
from fraud and other abuses; provides an accounting oversight
board.
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The FTC also assists businesses in complying with

Regulatory Administrative laws. New marketing methods are evaluated every
Agencies year. When general sets of guidelines are needed to
improve business practices in a particular industry,
Federal and state administrative agencies (listed in
the FTC sometimes encourages firms within that
Table A.1) also have some judicial powers. Many
industry to establish a set of trade practices volun-
administrative agencies, such as the Federal Trade
tarily. The FTC may even sponsor a conference bring-
Commission, decide disputes that involve their reg-
ing together industry leaders and consumers for the
ulations. In such disputes, the resolution process is
purpose of establishing acceptable trade practices.
usually called a “hearing” rather than a trial. In these
Unlike the FTC, other regulatory units are limited
cases, an administrative law judge decides all issues.
to dealing with specific products, services, or busi-
Federal regulatory agencies influence many busi-
ness activities. The Food and Drug Administration
ness activities and cover product liability, safety, and
(FDA) enforces regulations prohibiting the sale and
the regulation or deregulation of public utilities. Usu-
distribution of adulterated, misbranded, or hazard-
ally, these bodies have the power to enforce specific
ous food and drug products. For example, the FDA
laws, such as the Federal Trade Commission Act, and
outlawed the sale and distribution of most over-the-
have some discretion in establishing operating rules
counter hair-loss remedies after research indicated
and regulations to guide certain types of industry
that few of the products were effective in restoring
practices. Because of this discretion and overlapping
hair growth.
areas of responsibility, confusion or conflict regar-
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) dev-
ding which agencies have jurisdiction over which
elops and enforces environmental protection stan-
activities is common.
dards and conducts research into the adverse effects
Of all the federal regulatory units, the Federal
of pollution. The Consumer Product Safety Com-
Trade Commission (FTC) most influences business
mission recalls about 300 products a year, ranging
activities related to questionable practices that cre-
from small, inexpensive toys to major appliances.
ate disputes between businesses and their custom-
The Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Web
ers. Although the FTC regulates a variety of business
site provides details regarding current recalls.
practices, it allocates a large portion of resources to
The Consumer Product Safety commission has
curbing false advertising, misleading pricing, and
fallen under increasing scrutiny in the wake of a
deceptive packaging and labeling. When it receives
number of product safety scandals involving chil-
a complaint or otherwise has reason to believe that
dren’s toys. The most notable of these issues was lead
a firm is violating a law, the FTC issues a complaint
paint discovered in toys produced in China. Other
stating that the business is in violation.
problems have included the manufacture of toys that
If a company continues the questionable practice,
include small magnets that pose a choking hazard,
the FTC can issue a cease-and-desist order, which is
and lead-tainted costume jewelry.82
an order for the business to stop doing whatever has
caused the complaint. In such cases, the charged firm
can appeal to the federal courts to have the order Important Elements
rescinded. However, the FTC can seek civil penalties
in court—up to a maximum penalty of $10,000 a day
of Business Law
for each infraction—if a cease-and-desist order is To avoid violating criminal and civil laws, as well
violated. In its battle against unfair pricing, the FTC as discouraging lawsuits from consumers, employ-
has issued consent decrees alleging that corporate ees, suppliers, and others, businesspeople need to be
attempts to engage in price fixing or invitations to familiar with laws that address business practices.
competitors to collude are violations even when the
competitors in question refuse the invitations. The The Uniform Commercial Code
commission can also require companies to run cor- At one time, states had their own specific laws gov-
rective advertising in response to previous ads con- erning various business practices, and transacting
sidered misleading. business across state lines was difficult because of
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Consider Ethics and Social Responsibility

Pfizer: Puffery or Deception?
Pfizer Inc. is a well-known drug company that produces a untrue or unrealistic ideas about the product being promoted.
number of popular medications. Its blockbuster cholesterol- False advertising can range from straight out misrepresenting
reducing product, Lipitor, has been proven to lower choles- the product, advertising the maximum or best features rather
terol. However, increased competition brought on by the than the basic or standards ones, or using fillers or oversized
introduction of a generic version of Merck & Co.’s Zocor cho- packaging to make the consumer think that he or she is buy-
lesterol medication prompted Pfizer to rethink its advertising ing more. Deceptive advertising can be considered fraud,
strategy. In order to promote this product, the company hired which is illegal. The House Committee on Energy and Com-
Robert Jarvik, inventor of a kind of artificial heart, to star in merce probe has called into question the validity of the claims
new ads for the drug. Although a doctor, Jarvik is not a prac- asserted by Jarvik in the ad, and is considering whether the
ticing physician and this has called into question the validity ads should be considered deceptive, or merely puffery. This
and morality of the endorsement. The ads had been running distinction can be difficult to determine. According to the Bet-
since 2006 when the company abruptly pulled them in January ter Business Bureau’s Code of Advertising, “subjective claims
2008, in the wake of a federal investigation into the matter. are not subject to test of their truth or accuracy,” meaning
The accusations do not call into question the importance there is no objective test of such claims. Some believe that
of Jarvik’s accomplishments or the effectiveness of the medi- the best approach for Pfizer would be to move towards adver-
cation. They do, however, question Jarvik’s credentials, as tising that utilizes scientific data over emotional appeals.83
he is not a practicing physician. They also question whether
or not the ads sought to mislead consumers in a fraudulent Discussion Questions
way. One of the television advertisements shows Jarvik at 1. If the information conveyed in the ads is truthful, should it
a lake discussing the benefits of Lipitor. In the ad he states, matter that Dr. Jarvik is associated with development of
“just because I’m a doctor doesn’t mean I don’t worry about an artificial heart but is not a practicing physician?
by cholesterol,” thereby potentially leading the audience to 2. What advertising approaches do you think that Pfizer
believe that he is a physician. should take in the future in order to avoid the same
Exaggerated marketing claims are known as puffery, kind of scrutiny and criticism engendered by the Jarvik
which is defined by the FTC as “exaggerations reasonably to Lipitor ads?
be expected of a seller” where “truth or falsity cannot be pre- 3. How might one determine when a company has crossed
cisely determined”. Advertising moves beyond puffery into the the line between puffery and outright deception?
realm of deceptive, or false, advertising if it gives consumers
the variation in the laws from state to state. To sim- and seller have not reached an agreement on price.
plify commerce, every state—except Louisiana—has Specifically, Article II addresses the rights of buyers
enacted the Uniform Commercial Code (Louisiana and sellers, transfers of ownership, warranties, and
has enacted portions of the code). The Uniform the legal placement of risk during manufacture and
Commercial Code (UCC) is a set of statutory laws delivery.
covering several business law topics. Article II of the Article II also deals with express and implied war-
Uniform Commercial Code, which is discussed in ranties. An express warranty stipulates the specific
the following paragraphs, has significant impact on terms the seller will honor. Many automobile manu-
business. facturers, for example, provide three-year or 36,000-
mile warranties on their vehicles, during which
Sales Agreements. Article II of the Uniform Com- period they will fix any and all defects specified in
mercial Code covers sales agreements for goods the warranty. An implied warranty is imposed on
and services but does not cover the sale of stocks the producer or seller by law, although it may not
and bonds, personal services, or real estate. Among be a written document provided at the time of sale.
its many provisions, Article II stipulates that a sales Under Article II, a consumer may assume that the
agreement can be enforced even though it does not product for sale has a clear title (in other words, that
specify the selling price or the time or place of deliv- it is not stolen) and that the product will both serve
ery. It also requires that a buyer pay a reasonable the purpose for which it was made and sold as well as
price for goods at the time of delivery if the buyer function as advertised.
74
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The Law of Torts and Fraud lawsuits. Although many lawsuits are warranted—
A tort is a private or civil wrong other than breach of few would disagree that a wrong has occurred when
contract. For example, a tort can result if the driver a patient dies because of negligence during a medi-
of a Domino’s Pizza delivery car loses control of the cal procedure or when a child is seriously injured by
vehicle and damages property or injures a person. a defective toy, and that the families deserve some
In the case of the delivery car accident, the injured compensation—many suits are not. Because of
persons might sue the driver and the owner of the multimillion-dollar judgments, companies are try-
company—Domino’s in this case—for damages res- ing to minimize their liability, and sometimes they
ulting from the accident. pass on the costs of the damage awards to their cus-
Fraud is a purposeful unlawful act to deceive or tomers in the form of higher prices. Some states
manipulate in order to damage others. Thus, in some have passed laws limiting damage awards and some
cases, a tort may also represent a violation of crimi- tort reform is occurring at the federal level. Table
nal law. Health care fraud has become a major issue A.2 lists the state courts systems the U.S. Chamber
in the courts. of Commerce’s Institute for Legal Reform has iden-
An important aspect of tort law involves prod- tified as being “friendliest” and “least friendly” to
uct liability—businesses’ legal responsibility for any business in terms of juries’ fairness, judges’ compe-
negligence in the design, production, sale, and con- tence and impartiality, and other factors.
sumption of products. Product liability laws have
evolved from both common and statutory law. Some The Law of Contracts
states have expanded the concept of product liability Virtually every business transaction is carried out by
to include injuries by products whether or not the means of a contract, a mutual agreement between
producer is proven negligent. Under this strict prod- two or more parties that can be enforced in a court
uct liability, a consumer who files suit because of an if one party chooses not to comply with the terms
injury has to prove only that the product was defec- of the contract. If you rent an apartment or house,
tive, that the defect caused the injury, and that the for example, your lease is a contract. If you have bor-
defect made the product unreasonably dangerous. rowed money under a student loan program, you
For example, a carving knife is expected to be sharp have a contractual agreement to repay the money.
and is not considered defective if you cut your fin- Many aspects of contract law are covered under the
ger using it. But an electric knife could be considered Uniform Commercial Code.
defective and unreasonably dangerous if it continued
to operate after being switched off.
Reforming tort law, particularly in regard to TABLE A.2 State Court Systems’ Reputations for
product liability, has become a hot political issue as Supporting Business
businesses look for relief from huge judgments in Most Friendly Least Friendly
to Business to Business
Delaware Mississippi
Nebraska West Virginia
Virginia Alabama
Iowa Louisiana
Idaho California
Utah Texas
New Hampshire Illinois
Minnesota Montana
Kansas Arkansas
Wisconsin Missouri
Source: U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform, in
Martin Kasindorf, “Robin Hood Is Alive in Court, Say Those
New car buyers receive express warranties stating what is covered Seeking Lawsuit Limits,” USA Today, March 8, 2004, p. 4A.
for repair or replacement over a specific period of time.
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A “handshake deal” is in most cases as fully and Legality is the state or condition of being lawful.
completely binding as a written, signed contract For an otherwise binding contract to be enforceable,
agreement. Indeed, many oil-drilling and construc- both the purpose of and the consideration for the
tion contractors have for years agreed to take on proj- contract must be legal. A contract in which a bank
ects on the basis of such handshake deals. However, loans money at a rate of interest prohibited by law, a
individual states require that some contracts be in practice known as usury, would be an illegal contract,
writing to be enforceable. Most states require that at for example. The fact that one of the parties may
least some of the following contracts be in writing: commit an illegal act while performing a contract
• Contracts involving the sale of land or an interest does not render the contract itself illegal, however.
in land. Breach of contract is the failure or refusal of a
party to a contract to live up to his or her promises.
• Contracts to pay somebody else’s debt.
In the case of an apartment lease, failure to pay rent
• Contracts that cannot be fulfilled within one year. would be considered breach of contract. The breach-
• Contracts for the sale of goods that cost ing party—the one who fails to comply—may be
more than $500 (required by the Uniform liable for monetary damages that he or she causes the
Commercial Code). other person.
Only those contracts that meet certain require-
ments—called elements—are enforceable by the The Law of Agency
courts. A person or business seeking to enforce a An agency is a common business relationship cre-
contract must show that it contains the following ated when one person acts on behalf of another and
elements: voluntary agreement, consideration, con- under that person’s control. Two parties are involved
tractual capacity of the parties, and legality. in an agency relationship: The principal is the one
For any agreement to be considered a legal con- who wishes to have a specific task accomplished; the
tract, all persons involved must agree to be bound agent is the one who acts on behalf of the principal
by the terms of the contract. Voluntary agreement to accomplish the task. Authors, movie stars, and
typically comes about when one party makes an offer athletes often employ agents to help them obtain the
and the other accepts. If both the offer and the accep- best contract terms.
tance are freely, voluntarily, and knowingly made, the An agency relationship is created by the mutual
acceptance forms the basis for the contract. If, how- agreement of the principal and the agent. It is usually
ever, either the offer or the acceptance are the result not necessary that such an agreement be in writing,
of fraud or force, the individual or organization although putting it in writing is certainly advisable.
subject to the fraud or force can void, or invalidate, An agency relationship continues as long as both the
the resulting agreement or receive compensation for principal and the agent so desire. It can be terminated
damages. by mutual agreement, by fulfillment of the purpose
The second requirement for enforcement of a of the agency, by the refusal of either party to con-
contract is that it must be supported by consider- tinue in the relationship, or by the death of either
ation— that is, money or something of value must the principal or the agent. In most cases, a principal
be given in return for fulfilling a contract. As a gen- grants authority to the agent through a formal power
eral rule, a person cannot be forced to abide by the of attorney, which is a legal document authorizing
terms of a promise unless that person receives a con- a person to act as someone else’s agent. The power
sideration. The something-of-value could be money, of attorney can be used for any agency relationship,
goods, services, or even a promise to do or not to do and its use is not limited to lawyers. For instance, in
something. real estate transactions, often a lawyer or real estate
Contractual capacity is the legal ability to enter agent is given power of attorney with the authority to
into a contract. As a general rule, a court cannot purchase real estate for the buyer. Accounting firms
enforce a contract if either party to the agreement often give employees agency relationships in making
lacks contractual capacity. A person’s contractual financial transactions.
capacity may be limited or nonexistent if he or she Both officers and directors of corporations are
is a minor (under the age of 18), mentally unstable, fiduciaries, or people of trust, who use due care and
retarded, insane, or intoxicated. loyalty as an agent in making decisions on behalf of
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the organization. This relationship creates a duty of that large multinational firms may have as many as
care, also called duty of diligence, to make informed 15,000 conflicts related to trademarks. Companies
decisions. These agents of the corporation are not are diligent about protecting their trademarks both
held responsible for negative outcomes if they are to avoid confusion in consumers’ minds and because
informed and diligent in their decisions. The duty a term that becomes part of everyday language can
of loyalty means that all decisions should be in the no longer be trademarked. The names aspirin and
interests of the corporation and its stakeholders. nylon, for example, were once the exclusive property
Scandals at Enron, Tyco, and WorldCom are associ- of their creators but became so widely used as prod-
ated with officers and directors who failed to carry uct names (rather than brand names) that now any-
out their fiduciary duties. Lawsuits from sharehold- one can use them.
ers called for the officers and directors to pay large As the trend toward globalization of trade con-
sums of money from their own pockets. tinues, and more and more businesses trade across
national boundaries, protecting property rights,
The Law of Property particularly intellectual property such as computer
Property law is extremely broad in scope because it software, has become an increasing challenge. While
covers the ownership and transfer of all kinds of real, a company may be able to register as a trademark a
personal, and intellectual property. Real property brand name or symbol in its home country, it may
consists of real estate and everything permanently not be able to secure that protection abroad. Some
attached to it; personal property basically is every- countries have copyright and patent laws that are less
thing else. Personal property can be further subdi- strict than those of the United States; some countries
vided into tangible and intangible property. Tangible will not enforce U.S. laws. China, for example, has
property refers to items that have a physical existence, often been criticized for permitting U.S. goods to be
such as automobiles, business inventory, and cloth- counterfeited there. Such counterfeiting harms not
ing. Intangible property consists of rights and duties; only the sales of U.S. companies but also their rep-
its existence may be represented by a document or utations if the knockoffs are of poor quality. Thus,
by some other tangible item. For example, accounts businesses engaging in foreign trade may have to take
receivable, stock in a corporation, goodwill, and extra steps to protect their property because local
trademarks are all examples of intangible personal laws may be insufficient to protect them.
property. Intellectual property refers to property,
such as musical works, artwork, books, and com- The Law of Bankruptcy
puter software, that is generated by a person’s cre- Although few businesses and individuals intention-
ative activities. ally fail to repay (or default on) their debts, some-
Copyrights, patents, and trademarks provide pro- times they cannot fulfill their financial obligations.
tection to the owners of property by giving them the Individuals may charge goods and services beyond
exclusive right to use it. Copyrights protect the own- their ability to pay for them. Businesses may take on
ership rights on material (often intellectual property) too much debt in order to finance growth or business
such as books, music, videos, photos, and computer events such as an increase in the cost of commodi-
software. The creators of such works, or their heirs, ties can bankrupt a company. An option of last resort
generally have exclusive rights to the published or in these cases is bankruptcy, or legal insolvency.
unpublished works for the creator’s lifetime, plus 50 For example, a number of prominent airlines have
years. Patents give inventors exclusive rights to their recently filed for bankruptcy as a result of a weaken-
invention for 17 years. The most intense competition ing economy and problems inherent to the industry.
for patents is in the pharmaceutical industry. Most Frontier Airlines is among those experiencing trou-
patents take a minimum of 18 months to secure. ble. In order to attempt a recovery, the airline filed
A trademark is a brand (name, mark, or symbol) for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April 2008. The airline
that is registered with the U.S. Patent and Trade- blames its recent financial troubles on its credit card
mark Office and is thus legally protected from use processing company, which has begun to claim a
by any other firm. Among the symbols that have larger proportion of Frontier’s revenues. This prob-
been so protected are McDonald’s golden arches and lem combined with fuel prices that rose 74 percent
Coca-Cola’s distinctive bottle shape. It is estimated between 2007 and 2008, high-profile safety issues on
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a number of planes, and falling demand have created Table A.3 describes the various levels of bankruptcy
an environment difficult for even the strongest of protection a business or individual may seek.
carriers. In March 2008, Aloha Airlines took a more
drastic step, filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. After
filing, the carrier quickly closed for business—while Laws Affecting Business
United Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines stepped in to
honor Aloha’s tickets and reservations. Prior to bank-
Practices
ruptcy, the carrier was the island state’s 10th-largest One of the government’s many roles is to act as a
employer, with 3,400 employees.84 watchdog to ensure that businesses behave in accor-
Individuals or companies may ask a bankruptcy dance with the wishes of society. Congress has enacted
court to declare them unable to pay their debts and a number of laws that affect business practices; some
thus release them from the obligation of repaying of the most important of these are summarized in
those debts. The debtor’s assets may then be sold to Table A.4. Many state legislatures have enacted simi-
pay off as much of the debt as possible. In the case lar laws governing business within specific states.
of a personal bankruptcy, although the individual is The Sherman Antitrust Act, passed in 1890
released from repaying debts and can start over with to prevent businesses from restraining trade and
a clean slate, obtaining credit after bankruptcy pro- monopolizing markets, condemns “every contract,
ceedings is very difficult. About 2 million households combination, or conspiracy in restraint of trade.”
in the United States filed for bankruptcy in 2005, the For example, a request that a competitor agree to fix
most ever. However, a new, more restrictive law went prices or divide markets would, if accepted, result in
into effect in late 2005, and fewer consumers are using a violation of the Sherman Act. Recently antitrust
bankruptcy to eliminate their debts. The law makes it authorities have investigated the chocolate industry
harder for consumers to prove that they should be for evidence of price fixing. Over 50 civil suits have
allowed to clear their debts for what is called a “fresh been filed against Hershey and other chocolate mak-
start” or Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Although the person ers accusing the companies of collusion in order to
or company in debt usually initiates bankruptcy pro- boost profits.85 Proof of intent plays an important
ceedings, creditors may also initiate them. The sub- role in attempted monopolization cases under the
prime mortgage crisis of early 2008 caused a string of Sherman Act. Enforced by the Antitrust Division of
bankruptcies among individuals; and chapter 7 and the Department of Justice, the Sherman Antitrust
11 bankruptcies among banks, and other businesses Act applies to firms operating in interstate commerce
as well. Tougher bankruptcy laws and a slowing and to U.S. firms operating in foreign commerce. For
economy converged on the subprime crisis to cre- example, in early 2008 the American company, Intel
ate a situation where bankruptcy filings skyrocketed. Corp., found its German offices raided by European
TABLE A.3 Types of Bankruptcy

Chapter 7 Requires that the business be dissolved and its assets liquidated, or sold, to pay off the debts.
Individuals declaring Chapter 7 retain a limited amount of exempt assets, the amount of which may be
determined by state or federal law, at the debtor’s option. Although the type and value of exempt assets
varies from state to state, most states’ laws allow a bankrupt individual to keep an automobile, some
household goods, clothing, furnishings, and at least some of the value of the debtor’s residence. All
nonexempt assets must be sold to pay debts.
Chapter 11 Temporarily frees a business from its financial obligations while it reorganizes and works out a payment
plan with its creditors. The indebted company continues to operate its business during bankruptcy
proceedings. Often, the business sells off assets and less-profitable subsidiaries to raise cash to pay off
its immediate obligations.
Chapter 13 Similar to Chapter 11 but limited to individuals. This proceeding allows an individual to establish a
three- to five-year plan for repaying his or her debt. Under this plan, an individual ultimately may repay
as little as 10 percent of his or her debt.
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TABLE A.4 Major Federal Laws Affecting Business Practices

Act (Date Enacted) Purpose
Sherman Antitrust Act (1890) Prohibits contracts, combinations, or conspiracies to restrain trade;
establishes as a misdemeanor monopolizing or attempting to
monopolize.
Clayton Act (1914) Prohibits specific practices such as price discrimination, exclusive
dealer arrangements, and stock acquisitions in which the effect may
notably lessen competition or tend to create a monopoly.
Federal Trade Commission Act (1914) Created the Federal Trade Commission; also gives the FTC
investigatory powers to be used in preventing unfair methods of
competition.
Robinson-Patman Act (1936) Prohibits price discrimination that lessens competition among
wholesalers or retailers; prohibits producers from giving
disproportionate services of facilities to large buyers.
Wheeler-Lea Act (1938) Prohibits unfair and deceptive acts and practices regardless of
whether competition is injured; places advertising of foods and drugs
under the jurisdiction of the FTC.
Lanham Act (1946) Provides protections and regulation of brand names, brand marks,
trade names, and trademarks.
Celler-Kefauver Act (1950) Prohibits any corporation engaged in commerce from acquiring the
whole or any part of the stock or other share of the capital assets of
another corporation when the effect substantially lessens competition
or tends to create a monopoly.
Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (1966) Makes illegal the unfair or deceptive packaging or labeling of
consumer products.
Magnuson-Moss Warranty (FTC) Act (1975) Provides for minimum disclosure standards for written consumer
product warranties; defines minimum consent standards for written
warranties; allows the FTC to prescribe interpretive rules in policy
statements regarding unfair or deceptive practices.
Consumer Goods Pricing Act (1975) Prohibits the use of price maintenance agreements among
manufacturers and resellers in interstate commerce.
Antitrust Improvements Act (1976) Requires large corporations to inform federal regulators of prospective
mergers or acquisitions so that they can be studied for any possible
violations of the law.
Trademark Counterfeiting Act (1980) Provides civil and criminal penalties against those who deal in
counterfeit consumer goods or any counterfeit goods that can
threaten health or safety.
Trademark Law Revision Act (1988) Amends the Lanham Act to allow brands not yet introduced to be
protected through registration with the Patent and Trademark Office.
Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (1990) Prohibits exaggerated health claims and requires all processed foods
to contain labels with nutritional information.
Telephone Consumer Protection Act (1991) Establishes procedures to avoid unwanted telephone solicitations;
prohibits marketers from using automated telephone dialing system or
an artificial or prerecorded voice to certain telephone lines.
Federal Trademark Dilution Act (1995) Provides trademark owners the right to protect trademarks and
requires relinquishment of names that match or parallel existing
trademarks.
continued
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TABLE A.4 continued

Act (Date Enacted) Purpose
Digital Millennium Copyright Act (1998) Refined copyright laws to protect digital versions of copyrighted
materials, including music and movies.
Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (2000) Regulates the collection of personally identifiable information (name,
address, e-mail address, hobbies, interests, or information collected
through cookies) online from children under age 13.
Sarbanes-Oxley Act (2002) Made securities fraud a criminal offense; stiffened penalties for
corporate fraud; created an accounting oversight board; and
instituted numerous other provisions designed to increase corporate
transparency and compliance.
Do Not Call Implementation Act (2003) Directs FCC and FTC to coordinate so their rules are consistent
regarding telemarketing call practices, including the Do Not Call
Registry.
Union Anti-Trust regulators. The firm had been sus- electricity, and communications industries have
pected of running a cartel, and attempting to squeeze been deregulated. Furthermore, the antitrust laws are
out smaller competitors through its position as mar- often rather vague and require interpretation, which
ket leader. The 2008 raids were part of an ongoing may vary from judge to judge and court to court.
series of international anti-trust allegations aimed Thus, what one judge defines as a monopoly or trust
at Intel.86 The Sherman Antitrust Act, still highly today may be permitted by another judge a few years
relevant 100 years after its passage, is being copied from now. Businesspeople need to understand what
throughout the world as the basis for regulating fair the law says on these issues and try to conduct their
competition. affairs within the bounds of these laws.
Because the provisions of the Sherman Antitrust
Act are rather vague, courts have not always inter-
preted it as its creators intended. The Clayton Act The Internet: Legal
was passed in 1914 to limit specific activities that can
reduce competition. The Clayton Act prohibits price
and Regulatory Issues
discrimination, tying and exclusive agreements, and Our use and dependence on the Internet is increas-
the acquisition of stock in another corporation where ingly creating a potential legal problem for businesses.
the effect may be to substantially lessen competition With this growing use come questions of maintain-
or tend to create a monopoly. In addition, the Clay- ing an acceptable level of privacy for consumers and
ton Act prohibits members of one company’s board proper competitive use of the medium. Some might
of directors from holding seats on the boards of com- consider that tracking individuals who visit or “hit”
peting corporations. The act also exempts farm coop- their Web site by attaching a “cookie” (identifying
eratives and labor organizations from antitrust laws. you as a Web site visitor for potential recontact and
In spite of these laws regulating business practices, tracking your movement throughout the site) is an
there are still many questions about the regulation improper use of the Internet for business purposes.
of business. For instance, it is difficult to determine Others may find such practices acceptable and simi-
what constitutes an acceptable degree of competition lar to the practices of non-Internet retailers who
and whether a monopoly is harmful to a particular copy information from checks or ask customers for
market. Many mergers were permitted that resulted their name, address, or phone number before they
in less competition in the banking, publishing, and will process a transaction. There are few specific laws
automobile industries. In some industries, such as that regulate business on the Internet, but the stan-
utilities, it is not cost effective to have too many com- dards for acceptable behavior that are reflected in the
petitors. For this reason, the government permits basic laws and regulations designed for traditional
utility monopolies, although recently, the telephone, businesses can be applied to business on the Internet
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ensure privacy rights by recognizing that customers

have a right to control the use of their personal data.
Internet use is different from traditional interac-
tion with businesses in that it is readily accessible, and
most online businesses are able to develop databases
of information on customers. Congress has restricted
the development of databases on children using the
Internet. The Children’s Online Privacy Protection
Act of 2000 prohibits Web sites and Internet provid-
ers from seeking personal information from children
under age 13 without parental consent.
The Internet has also created a copyright dilemma
for some organizations that have found that the
Web addresses of other online firms either match
Lawyer Robert Ellis Smith, the publisher of the Privacy Journal, has or are very similar to their company trademark.
made a business out of protecting people’s privacy, including their
credit and medical records, and Internet use. In addition to the jour-
“Cybersquatters” attempt to sell back the registra-
nal, he is the author of several books on privacy. tion of these matching sites to the trademark owner.
Companies such as Taco Bell, MTC, and KFC have
paid thousands of dollars to gain control of domain
as well. On law aimed specifically at advertising on names that match or parallel company trademarks.
the internet is the CAN-SPAM Act of 2004. The law The Federal Trademark Dilution Act of 1995 helps
restricts unsolicited email advertisements by requir- companies address this conflict. The act provides
ing the consent of the recipient. Furthermore, the trademark owners the right to protect trademarks,
CAN-SPAM Act follows the “opt-out” model wherein prevents the use of trademark-protected entities, and
recipients can elect to not receive further emails from requires the relinquishment of names that match or
a sender simply by clicking on a link.87 closely parallel company trademarks. The reduction
The central focus for future legislation of business of geographic barriers, speed of response, and mem-
conducted on the Internet is the protection of per- ory capability of the Internet will continue to create
sonal privacy. The present basis of personal privacy new challenges for the legal and regulatory environ-
protection is the U.S. Constitution, various Supreme ment in the future.
Court rulings, and laws such as the 1971 Fair Credit
Reporting Act, the 1978 Right to Financial Privacy
Act, and the 1974 Privacy Act, which deals with the
Legal Pressure
release of government records. With few regulations for Responsible
on the use of information by businesses, companies
legally buy and sell information on customers to
Business Conduct
gain competitive advantage. Sometimes existing laws To ensure greater compliance with society’s desires,
are not enough to protect people, and the ease with both federal and state governments are moving
which information on customers can be obtained toward increased organizational accountability for
becomes a problem. For example, identity theft has misconduct. Before 1991, laws mainly punished those
increased due to the proliferation of the use of the employees directly responsible for an offense. Under
internet. In March 2008, two grocery-store chains, new guidelines established by the Federal Sentencing
Hannaford Bros and Sweetbay, both experienced a Guidelines for Organizations (FSGO), however, both
security breach that potentially exposed 4.2 million the responsible employees and the firms that employ
customers’ cards. By mid March, the companies were them are held accountable for violations of federal
aware of 1,800 fraudulent charges stemming from the law. Thus, the government now places responsi-
security incident. Without proper legislation to pro- bility for controlling and preventing misconduct
tect information on the internet, issues like this will squarely on the shoulders of top management. The
continue to plague businesses.88 It has been suggested main objectives of the federal guidelines are to train
that the treatment of personal data as property will employees, self-monitor and supervise employee
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First Pages
conduct, deter unethical acts, and punish those orga- The federal guidelines also require businesses to
nizational members who engage in illegal acts. develop programs that can detect—and that will
A 2004 amendment to the FSGO requires that a deter employees from engaging in—misconduct. To
business’s governing authority be well informed about be considered effective, such compliance programs
its ethics program with respect to content, implemen- must include disclosure of any wrongdoing, coop-
tation, and effectiveness. This places the responsibil- eration with the government, and acceptance of
ity squarely on the shoulders of the firm’s leadership, responsibility for the misconduct. Codes of ethics,
usually the board of directors. The board must ensure employee ethics training, hotlines (direct 800 phone
that there is a high-ranking manager accountable numbers), compliance directors, newsletters, bro-
for the day-to-day operational oversight of the eth- chures, and other communication methods are typi-
ics program. The board must provide for adequate cal components of a compliance program. The ethics
authority, resources, and access to the board or an component, discussed in Chapter 2, acts as a buffer,
appropriate subcommittee of the board. The board keeping firms away from the thin line that separates
must ensure that there are confidential mechanisms unethical and illegal conduct.
available so that the organization’s employees and Despite the existing legislation, a number of eth-
agents may report or seek guidance about potential or ics scandals in the early 2000s led Congress to pass—
actual misconduct without fear of retaliation. Finally, almost unanimously—the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which
the board is required to oversee the discovery of risks criminalized securities fraud and strengthened penal-
and to design, implement, and modify approaches to ties for corporate fraud. It also created an accounting
deal with those risks. oversight board that requires corporations to establish
If an organization’s culture and policies reward codes of ethics for financial reporting and to develop
or provide opportunities to engage in misconduct greater transparency in financial reports to investors
through lack of managerial concern or failure to and other interested parties. Additionally, the law
comply with the seven minimum requirements of the requires top corporate executives to sign off on their
FSGO (provided in Table A.5), then the organization firms’ financial reports, and they risk fines and jail sen-
may incur not only penalties but also the loss of cus- tences if they misrepresent their companies’ financial
tomer trust, public confidence, and other intangible position. Table A.6 summarizes the major provisions
assets. For this reason, organizations cannot succeed of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
solely through a legalistic approach to compliance The Sarbanes Oxley Act has created a number of
with the sentencing guidelines; top management concerns and is considered burdensome and expen-
must cultivate high ethical standards that will serve sive to corporations. Large corporations report spend-
as barriers to illegal conduct. The organization must ing more than $4 million each year to comply with the
want to be a good citizen and recognize the impor- Act according to Financial Executives International.
tance of compliance to successful workplace activi- The Act has caused more than 500 public companies
ties and relationships. a year to report problems in their accounting systems.
TABLE A.5 Seven Steps to Compliance

1. Develop standards and procedures to reduce the propensity for criminal conduct.
2. Designate a high-level compliance manager or ethics officer to oversee the compliance program.
3. Avoid delegating authority to people known to have a propensity to engage in misconduct.
4. Communicate standards and procedures to employees, other agents, and independent contractors through training
programs and publications.
5. Establish systems to monitor and audit misconduct and to allow employees and agents to report criminal activity.
6. Enforce standards and punishments consistently across all employees in the organization.
7. Respond immediately to misconduct and take reasonable steps to prevent further criminal conduct.
Source: United States Sentencing Commission, Federal Sentencing Guidelines for Organizations, 1991.
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More than 1,000 businesspersons have been convicted and protect employees, especially their retirement
of corporate crimes since the law was passed in 2002. plans. It is believed that the law has more benefits
This means that the overwhelming majority of busi- than drawbacks—with the greatest benefit being
nesses are in compliance with the law. that boards of directors and top managers are better
On the other hand, there are many benefits, informed. Some companies such as Cisco and Pitney
including greater accountability of top managers and Bowes report improved efficiency and cost savings
boards of directors, that improve investor confidence from better financial information.
TABLE A.6 Major Provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

1. Requires the establishment of a Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in charge of regulations administered
by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
2. Requires CEOs and CFOs to certify that their companies’ financial statements are true and without misleading
statements.
3. Requires that corporate boards of directors’ audit committees consist of independent members who have no
material interests in the company.
4. Prohibits corporations from making or offering loans to officers and board members.
5. Requires codes of ethics for senior financial officers; code must be registered with the SEC.
6. Prohibits accounting firms from providing both auditing and consulting services to the same client without the
approval of the client firm’s audit committee.
7. Requires company attorneys to report wrongdoing to top managers and, if necessary, to the board of directors; if
managers and directors fail to respond to reports of wrongdoing, the attorney should stop representing the company.
8. Mandates “whistleblower protection” for persons who disclose wrongdoing to authorities.
9. Requires financial securities analysts to certify that their recommendations are based on objective reports.
10. Requires mutual fund managers to disclose how they vote shareholder proxies, giving investors information about
how their shares influence decisions.
11. Establishes a 10-year penalty for mail/wire fraud.
12. Prohibits the two senior auditors from working on a corporation’s account for more than five years; other auditors
are prohibited from working on an account for more than seven years. In other words, accounting firms must rotate
individual auditors from one account to another from time to time.
Source: O. C. Ferrell, John Fraedrich, and Linda Ferrell, Business Ethics: Ethical Decision Making and Cases, 6th ed. (Boston: Houghton
Mifflin, 2005), p. 63.
fer11722_ch02_036-083.indd 83 7/29/08 3:15:50 PM

Business Ethics and Social Responsibility: Chapter Outline

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First Pages

fer11722_ch02_036-083.indd 36 7/29/08 3:11:06 PM

ENTER THE WORLD OF BUSINESS

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Business Ethics and Social Responsibility

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CHAPTER 2 Business Ethics and Social Responsibility 39

TABLE 2.1 A Timeline of Ethical and Socially Responsible Concerns

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40 PART 1 Business in a Changing World

The Role of Ethics in Business

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CHAPTER 2 Business Ethics and Social Responsibility 41

Recognizing Ethical Issues in Business

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42 PART 1 Business in a Changing World

TABLE 2.2 Types and Incidences of Observed Misconduct

are a salesperson, when does offering a gift—such as season basketball tickets—to a

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CHAPTER 2 Business Ethics and Social Responsibility 43

Abusive and Intimidating Behavior. Abusive or intimidating behavior is the

1. Spreading rumors to damage others TABLE 2.3

4. Discrediting others ideas and opinions

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44 PART 1 Business in a Changing World

he problem is that 81 percent of workplace bullies are supervisors. A top officer

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CHAPTER 2 Business Ethics and Social Responsibility 45

Rank Country CPI Score* TABLE 2.4

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46 PART 1 Business in a Changing World

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CHAPTER 2 Business Ethics and Social Responsibility 47

manufacturers to indicate clearly on cigarette packaging that smoking cigarettes is

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48 PART 1 Business in a Changing World

protection legislation. Because of the debate surrounding the acceptability of these

Making Decisions about Ethical Issues

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CHAPTER 2 Business Ethics and Social Responsibility 49

perceived importance of an ethical issue substantially affects choices. However, only

Improving Ethical Behavior in Business

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50 PART 1 Business in a Changing World

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CHAPTER 2 Business Ethics and Social Responsibility 51

to encourage employees to report illegal or Sherron Watkins, Colleen

The Nature of Social Responsibility

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52 PART 1 Business in a Changing World

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CHAPTER 2 Business Ethics and Social Responsibility 53

1 Intel Corp. TABLE 2.7

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54 PART 1 Business in a Changing World

TABLE 2.8 For:

Social Responsibility Issues

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A business’s obligations to its owners and inves-